Development CycleThe flea develops via a number of stages, beginning with the egg, followed by the larva, pupa and finally adult stage. The life cycle of the flea is one of complete metamorphosis. It can be completed in as little as 14 days or be prolonged up to 140 days, depending mainly on temperature and humidity (Silverman et al. 1981b). The life cycle of most flea species is characterized by three events: the hatching of the egg, the period from 1st instar to pupa, and the period from pupa to adult (Linardi et al. 1997) (Fig. 5).
EggsCat flea eggs possess a widely oval form, rounded at both ends, a slightly transparent color at the beginning, later a pearly white color, 0.5 x 0.3 mm size, a smooth surface which can slightly darken later on, and they are well visible to the naked eye. LarvaeMost flea species parasitize nest-dwelling animals, and the great majority of flea larvae live in the nest or den of their hosts. Newly hatched flea larvae are slender, white, apod (i.e. without feet), sparsely covered with short hair, two to five millimeters in length, and posses a pair of anal struts. PupaeAfter completing development, the late third instar flea larva voids its alimentary canal contents in preparation of forming a cocoon and moves to an undisturbed place to spin a silk-like cocoon in which it pupates. The pupa is the best protected and resistant life stage of a flea.] Preemerged AdultsDepending on the temperature inside the cocoon the flea develops via the stages prepupa and pupa into an adult which at first rests inside the cocoon. The observation of adult fleas remaining quiescent for prolonged periods within the pupal cocoon before emergence has been made by several researchers and characterizes the so-called preemerged adult. Preemerged adult represents a developmental stage of the cat flea offering the possibility to survive non-parasitic periods without being harmed. AdultsOnce the flea emerges from the cocoon, it will not undergo any further molts, and the only size increase occurs due to swelling of the abdomen after feeding. A variety of stimuli attract newly emerged fleas seeking a host for a blood meal. As an adult, its only function is to reproduce and it must feed constantly in order to do so. References
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