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Flea ID -> Pulex irritans
Carnifex	#1 Posted on 22-04-2019 20:52
Member Location: Vienna, Austria Posts: 1861 Joined: 23.06.15	As Siphonaptera are 'almost' flies, maybe someone has also some knowledge in that group. Found in a park in Vienna. 2mm long Cheers, Lorin Edited by Carnifex on 20-11-2022 21:21 Cheers, Lorin Font Color All requests are from the urban area of Vienna, if not otherwise stated. My Diptera observations (and other living forms) can be found here, and corrections or comments over there would also be appreciated.


Tony Irwin	#2 Posted on 23-04-2019 08:39
Member Location: Norwich, England Posts: 7192 Joined: 19.11.04	I'd call this Pulex irritans Tony ---------- Tony Irwin


Carnifex	#3 Posted on 29-04-2019 12:58
Member Location: Vienna, Austria Posts: 1861 Joined: 23.06.15	good call, Tony! Cheers, Lorin Font Color All requests are from the urban area of Vienna, if not otherwise stated. My Diptera observations (and other living forms) can be found here, and corrections or comments over there would also be appreciated.


TomiTrilar	#4 Posted on 29-04-2019 13:17
Member Location: Ljubljana Posts: 147 Joined: 28.04.10	Female, could be Xenopsylla cheopis. Receptaculum seminis is not visible, so the determination is not accurate. I has one antepigidial bristle, which is not present in Pulex irritans. Best wishes, Tomi Edited by TomiTrilar on 29-04-2019 13:19


Tony Irwin	#5 Posted on 29-04-2019 14:59
Member Location: Norwich, England Posts: 7192 Joined: 19.11.04	Thanks for your input Tomi. It's good to question identifications - keeps us all on our toes! However, comparing Figures 40 and 48 in Whitaker's RES Handbook, it seems to me that on head chaetotaxy alone, Lorin's specimen cannot be Xenopsylla. The apparent antesensilial (antepygidial) seta is at a rather strange angle, and I wonder whether it is a displaced seta from elsewhere on the specimen? So I'll stick with Pulex for now. Tony ---------- Tony Irwin


Carnifex	#6 Posted on 30-04-2019 13:32
Member Location: Vienna, Austria Posts: 1861 Joined: 23.06.15	A parasitologist, whom I sent this photo, also had it determined as P.i. He was not sure about the sex though Cheers, Lorin Font Color All requests are from the urban area of Vienna, if not otherwise stated. My Diptera observations (and other living forms) can be found here, and corrections or comments over there would also be appreciated.