Flea is the common name for the order Siphonaptera, which includes about 2,500 species of small, flightless insects that live as external parasites of mammals and birds. Typically about three millimeters long, fleas have flattened bodies and powerful hind legs adapted for jumping rather than flying, allowing them to leap roughly 50 times their own body length to move between hosts. Their mouthparts are adapted for piercing skin and ingesting blood, which is their primary food source.
Facts
Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceFleas are wingless insects, 1.5 to 3.3 millimetres (1/16 to 1/8 inch) long, that are agile, usually dark colored (for example, the reddish-brown of the cat flea), with a proboscis, or stylet, adapted to feeding by piercing the skin and sucking their host's blood through their epipharynx. Flea legs end in strong claws that are adapted to grasp a host. 1 Scientific Name Sources
1. Wikipedia: Flea
Introductory paragraph
Flea, the common name for the order Siphonaptera, includes 2,500 species of small flightless insects
Morphology and behaviour section
Fleas are wingless insects, 1.5 to 3.3 millimetres (1/16 to 1/8 inch) long, that are agile, usually dark colored (for example, the reddish-brown of the cat flea), with a proboscis, or stylet, adapted to feeding by piercing the skin and sucking their host's blood through their epipharynx. Flea legs end in strong claws that are adapted to grasp a host.
Wikipedia article, diet description
Flea, the common name for the order Siphonaptera, includes 2,500 species of small flightless insects that live as external parasites of mammals and birds.
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