How Are Fleas Important?
WouterFleas are an important group of arthropods that cause and transmit disease. These insects carry bacteria, viruses, and rickettsial diseases. Humans can contract these illnesses by scratching a flea’s skin. The feces of infected fleas can then be rubbed on the human’s skin, resulting in an infection.
Fleas develop into an adult flea by feeding on the body fluids of their host. This development takes up to two weeks. Once they have completed this process, they spin a silk cocoon. During this stage, they incorporate debris to camouflage themselves. This pupal stage lasts four to fourteen days in ideal conditions, but can last as long as a year in unfavorable conditions. When the adult flea emerges from the cocoon, they feed several times per day. Adult fleas can live for several months off the body fat stored by the host.
The adult fleas of mammals and humans are similar in structure. However, the appearance of the adult flea differs from that of its ‘wild’ counterparts. Some have large, squishy bodies, while others have compressed bodies. The adult fleas have combs or spines on the back of their bodies. The mouthparts of these insects have also evolved to be adapted to sucking blood. In addition, the mouthparts of these insects are armed with barbed stylets that help in penetrating the host skin.
The adult flea is about an eighth of an inch in length. Its body is flat and oval, with a large rounded abdomen. It lacks wings but has two pairs of hind legs that are adapted for jumping. The mouthparts are slender and have enlarged sclerotized teeth that help the flea transfer stored energy.
