1. Fleas & Ticks Evolution Study Guide
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Leesburg, FL

2. Fleas and Ticks- General Information
Fleas and ticks are the most important external parasites of pets, livestock and humans.
Both fleas and ticks are very abundant, have irritating bites, and are capable of transmitting diseases.
Fleas can transmit tapeworms.
Ticks can transmit Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and relapsing fever.
Lyme disease is transmitted in the northern US by the deer tick and in the southern U.S. by the black legged, Gulf coast, American dog, lone star, and relapsing fever tick.
Lone star and American dog tick can cause tick paralysis.
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3. Cat Flea Ctenocephalides felis
The most important flea species in the U.S. and attacks both cats and dogs.
Adults are 1/16” long and are usually found on the host.
The flea inserts its mouthparts in the skin, injects saliva, and sucks blood.
The bite leaves a red spot on the skin.
The saliva is irritating to the host, causing dermatitis and hair loss in allergic animals.
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4. Flea eggs and feces
Adult female fleas lay white, shiny eggs on the host.
The eggs are not glued to the host so they fall off immediately into bedding and other areas.
Adult flea feces are also found in areas the animals frequent.
Female fleas can produce 24 eggs per day.
Eggs hatch in hours.
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5. Flea larva Larvae of fleas go through 3 stages in 10-14 days.
They are about 1/4” long.
Larvae prefer to feed on adult flea feces.
They are mainly found in pet resting areas, both indoors and outdoors
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6. Flea cocoons
Flea larvae pupate within silken cocoons and change into the adult stage.
Debris is incorporated into the cocoon.
This debris makes the cocoons difficult to find.
Fleas can remain in the pupal stage for 6-12 months without a host.
they are protected from insecticides and resist chemical treatments.
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7. American dog tick Dermacentor variabilis
One of the most prevalent tick pests in the eastern United States.
Adults are about 1/4” long.
The shield has variable white markings.
The larvae and nymphs prefer to feed on mice.
The adults prefer to feed on dogs and other large animals.
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8. Brown dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus
This tick is one of the most common pests of dogs.
Adults are 3/16” long.
Adults are uniformly reddish-brown color.
All stages prefer to feed on dogs.
This tick is prevalent in houses and kennels.
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9. Gulf coast tick Amblyomma maculatum
This tick is very prevalent in the southeastern U.S.
The sexes are very different in appearance.
The immature stages feed on ground-dwelling birds.
The adults primarily attach to the ears of large animals like deer and cattle.
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10. Lone star tick Amblyomma americanum
This tick is one of the most common ticks on humans and has prevented the development of some areas.
the female has a silvery spot on the dorsal shield.
Its long mouthparts allow deep penetration of the skin often causing pus sores.
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11. Black legged tick Ixodes scapularis
This tick is widespread in the southeastern U.S..
It is often found along trails, paths, and roadways.
Adult ticks are dark reddish brown color with dark brown to black legs.
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