User:Gobrans17/Ctenocephalides felis

Lead
The cat flea (scientific name Ctenocephalides felis) is an extremely common parasitic insect whose principal host is the domestic cat, although a high proportion of the fleas found on dogs also belong to this species. This is despite the widespread existence of a separate and well-established "dog" flea, Ctenocephalides canis. The cat flea is found globally.

Life cycle
Cat fleas are holometabolous (undergo complete metamorphosis) and therefore go through four life cycle stages of egg, larva, pupa, and imago (adult). It takes approximately 21 days for the flea to complete the life cycle, but may be longer or shorter depending on temperature conditions and food availability. Adult fleas must feed on blood before they can become capable of reproduction.[7] Cat fleas may live up to two years.

Larvae
There are three larval instars of the cat flea. The larva of the cat flea has a grub-like appearance and is ~2 mm in length. The larvae are negatively phototaxic/phototropic, avoiding light and hiding in the substrate around them. The larvae require adequate ambient moisture and warmth, and will die at temperatures near freezing. While in this developmental stage the larvae will feed on a variety of organic substances, but the most important dietary item for them is the crumbs of dried blood that continually fall like snow out of the haircoat of the host after it has been excreted by the adult fleas as fecal material. Thus, the adult flea population continually feeds the larval population in the animal's environment.

Flea populations are distributed with about 50% eggs, 35% larvae, 10% pupae, and 5% adults.[8]

Disease transmission
Cat fleas can transmit other parasites and infections to dogs and cats and also to humans. The most prominent of these are Bartonella, murine typhus, and apedermatitis. The tapeworm Dipylidium caninum can be transmitted when an immature flea is swallowed by pets or humans. In addition, cat fleas have been found to carry Borrelia burgdorferi, the etiologic agent of Lyme disease, but their ability to transmit the disease is unclear. Finally, cat fleas are vectors for Rickettsia felis.

Treatment
Main article: Flea treatments

Since more than three-quarters of a flea's life is spent somewhere other than on the host animal, it is not adequate to treat only the host; it is important also to treat the host's environment. Thorough vacuuming, washing linens in hot water, and treating all hosts in the immediate environment (the entire household, for example) is essential for successful eradication. These steps should be performed on a regular basis. Pet safe insecticides may also be an option in treating a pet with fleas.

Other treatments include ‘spot-on’ products, tablets, flea powders, insecticide collars, aerosol and pump action sprays, and flea growth regulators.

Insecticide resistance
Main article: Insecticide resistance

Cat fleas have developed insecticide resistance to many of the common insecticides used to control them environmentally, including carbamates, organophosphates, and pyrethroids. Additionally, it has been found that larvae are more resistant to certain insecticides than adults. Targets of juvenile hormone may be successful to limit growth in the larval stages. When administering insecticides to pets for flea treatment, it is critically important to finish the full dose to limit the spread of resistance.