A dog flea undergoes several stages of growth, including egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Here’s a brief overview of the life cycle of a dog flea:
- Egg: Female fleas lay eggs on the host (e.g., a dog) or in the environment (e.g., carpets, bedding, or cracks in the floor). Flea eggs are tiny, oval-shaped, and usually white or off-white in color. They are not attached to the host and can easily fall off and spread throughout the environment.
- Larva: Flea eggs hatch into larva within a few days. Flea larva are legless, small, and white in color. They are typically around 2-5mm in length. Flea larva feed on organic debris, such as flea feces, dead skin cells, and other organic matter found in the environment. They avoid light and prefer dark and humid areas, such as carpets, cracks in floors, or under furniture.
- Pupa: After feeding and growing, flea larva spin a silken cocoon around themselves to form a pupa. Flea pupae are usually brown or beige in color and about 3-5mm in length. Flea pupae are well protected inside the cocoon and can survive for several months in the environment, waiting for favorable conditions to emerge as adults.
- Adult: Inside the cocoon, the flea pupa undergoes metamorphosis and develops into an adult flea. The adult flea is small, brown or reddish-brown in color, and measures around 1-4mm in length. Adult fleas have specialized mouthparts for feeding on the blood of their host, such as a dog. They have strong hind legs that allow them to jump onto their host from the environment.
Once the adult flea emerges from the cocoon, it seeks a host, such as a dog, to feed on. Using its powerful hind legs, the flea jumps onto the host and uses its mouthparts to pierce the skin and feed on the host’s blood. Fleas are well-adapted to moving through the fur of their host, and they use their sharp mouthparts to anchor themselves to the skin while feeding. Fleas are capable of feeding multiple times a day and can reproduce quickly, leading to a flea infestation if not properly controlled.
