–by Dr. Cassandra Olds, Livestock and Veterinary Entomology
While many of us are familiar with identifying adult fleas, we may be less familiar with what juvenile fleas look like (Figure 1).
). Fleas are holometabolous insects having an egg, larval, pupal and adult stage. Most flea species have three larval instars, which are white in appearance, increasing in size with each molt (Figure 2).
Flea larvae feed on organic matter present in dark, humid environments including animal bedding and carpeting. Cannibalism is common in fleas with larger individuals feeding on younger, smaller individuals. In some species, adults will produce dried blood rich fecal pellets called flea dirt; this provides further nourishment for growing larvae. Most dog and cat flea products kill adult fleas as well as preventing larvae from reaching the adult stage by regulating growth processes. Washing animal bedding as well as vacuuming often will also remove developing flea larvae.