RM
LM of the dog flea, Ctenocephalides canis
Light micrograph of the dog flea, Ctenocephalides canis. This is a female specimen. These wingless insects have piercing-sucking mouthparts adapted to feed on blood. Both sexes are bloodsuckers. Their laterally flattened body allows them to live and move within the fur of dogs (occasionally cats). And long hindlegs specialized for jumping enable them to leap from host to host. The eyes are photosensitive spots that detect light and dark. Only the adult flea is parasitic. It lays eggs in the fur; larvae feed on debris and the faeces of adult fleas. This flea can act as inter- mediate host of the dog & cat tapeworm Dipylidium caninum. Magnification: x20 at 6x7cm size.
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