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Distinct by their usually small size, their intense black colors, which occasionally have a bluish greenish tinge, and by their very convex form.

Black Bug

Distinct by their usually small size, their intense black colors, which occasionally have a bluish greenish…

An illustration of a group of fleas doing various activities seen in a circus. Some fleas are pulling a carriage with fleas inside, some are riding bicycles, and some look like they are racing each other.

Flea Circus

An illustration of a group of fleas doing various activities seen in a circus. Some fleas are pulling…

"The water fleas just visible to the naked eye are present in nearly all waters and become very abundant in stagnant water." —Davison, 1906

Daphnia

"The water fleas just visible to the naked eye are present in nearly all waters and become very abundant…

the flea has a curios apparatus for sucking blood, which is very beautiful as examined with a microscope (Hooker, 1882).

Flea

the flea has a curios apparatus for sucking blood, which is very beautiful as examined with a microscope…

Fleas are parasites. That is any plant or animal which feeds upon another living plant or animal without destroying it.

Flea

Fleas are parasites. That is any plant or animal which feeds upon another living plant or animal without…

Fleas are parasites. That is any plant or animal which feeds upon another living plant or animal without destroying it.

Flea

Fleas are parasites. That is any plant or animal which feeds upon another living plant or animal without…

"Aphaniptera includes the fleas, which, despite their minuteness, have made themselves a name in the world. The arterial covering is a horny compound of very distinct segmentsl the wings are four, but nearly rudimentary; the suctional organs consist of a pair of fine, serrated, sword-shaped mandibles, provided with a sharp, needle-like spear for penetrating the skin of the victim." — Goodrich, 1859

Flea

"Aphaniptera includes the fleas, which, despite their minuteness, have made themselves a name in the…

A magnified image of a flea.

Flea

A magnified image of a flea.

An illustration of a common flea. Once the flea reaches adulthood its primary goal is to find blood - adult fleas must feed on blood in order to reproduce. Adult fleas only have around a week to find food once they emerge, though they can survive two months to a year between meals. A flea population is unevenly distributed, with 50 percent eggs, 35 percent larvae, 10 percent pupae and 5 percent adults. Their total life cycle can take as little as two weeks, but may be lengthened to many months if conditions are unfavorable. Female fleas can lay 500 or more eggs over their life, allowing for phenomenal growth rates.

Flea

An illustration of a common flea. Once the flea reaches adulthood its primary goal is to find blood…

An illustration of five fleas dancing on a platform. Two fleas are dancing together as a pair and the other four fleas are flying off of the platform.

Flea Dance

An illustration of five fleas dancing on a platform. Two fleas are dancing together as a pair and the…

An illustration of the larva of a common flea. Flea larvae emerge from the eggs to feed on any available organic material such as dead insects, feces and vegetable matter. They are blind and avoid sunlight, keeping to dark places like sand, cracks and crevices, and bedding. Given an adequate supply of food, larvae should pupate within 1-2 weeks. After going through three larval stages they spin a silken cocoon.

Flea Larva

An illustration of the larva of a common flea. Flea larvae emerge from the eggs to feed on any available…

An illustration of the pupa of a common flea. After going through three larval stages they spin a silken cocoon. After another week or two the adult flea is fully developed and ready to emerge from the cocoon. They may however remain resting during this period until they receive a signal that a host is near - vibrations (including sound), heat and carbon dioxide are all stimuli indicating the probable presence of a host. Fleas are known to overwinter in the larval or pupal stages.

Flea Pupa

An illustration of the pupa of a common flea. After going through three larval stages they spin a silken…

An illustration of four fleas competing in a hurdle-race. The flea in first place is crawling under a hurdle and grabbing a flag.

Flea Race

An illustration of four fleas competing in a hurdle-race. The flea in first place is crawling under…

An illustration of a flea dressed in a uniform walking across a tight rope while holding a stick.

Flea Tight-Rope

An illustration of a flea dressed in a uniform walking across a tight rope while holding a stick.

Adult human flea, magnified twenty-two times.

Adult Human Flea

Adult human flea, magnified twenty-two times.

The chigoe flea (Tunga penetrans) is a parasitic arthropod found in tropical climates, especially South America and the West Indies. At 1 mm long, the chigoe flea is the smallest known flea. Breeding female chigoes burrow into exposed skin and lay eggs, causing intense irritation. After this point, the skin lesion looks like a 5 to 10 mm white spot with a central black dot, which are the flea's exposed hind legs, respiratory spiracles and reproductive organs.

Chigoe Flea (Female)

The chigoe flea (Tunga penetrans) is a parasitic arthropod found in tropical climates, especially South…

The chigoe flea (Tunga penetrans) is a parasitic arthropod found in tropical climates, especially South America and the West Indies. At 1 mm long, the chigoe flea is the smallest known flea. Breeding female chigoes burrow into exposed skin and lay eggs, causing intense irritation. After this point, the skin lesion looks like a 5 to 10 mm white spot with a central black dot, which are the flea's exposed hind legs, respiratory spiracles and reproductive organs.

Chigoe Flea (Male)

The chigoe flea (Tunga penetrans) is a parasitic arthropod found in tropical climates, especially South…

The type of flea that dogs get.

Dog Flea

The type of flea that dogs get.

The Copepoda are represented by the cyclops, or water flea. This form is common in sluggish streams and ditches. This is a female with egg sacs.

Water Flea

The Copepoda are represented by the cyclops, or water flea. This form is common in sluggish streams…

<Sminthurus roseus</i>. "A family of collembolous insects, typified by the genus <i>Sminthurus</i>, having a globular body, four-jointed antennae with a long terminal joint, saltatory appendage composed of a basal part and two arms, and tracheae well developed. They are found commonly among grass and fungi; many species have been described." &mdash;Whitney, 1889 <p>These animals are no longer considered insects. This illustration shows a tiny creature with six legs, two appendages at the back, and two antennae.

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