New Zealand Invertebrates

11005-55004 Dog flea or keha (Ctenocephalides canis) a species which feeds primarily on the blood of dogs, but also cats, and sometimes humans. Females must have a blood meal before they can produce eggs. Fleas are a marvel of design; laterally flattened (like fish), and covered with backswept spines, which aid their rapid movement through dense fur - or feathers. Blunt antennae fold flat against grooves behind their eyes. Paper thin, they are almost impossible to kill by crushing. A "mustache" of barbs anchors the face firmly to flesh as they feed on blood. Dunedin *

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11005-55004 Dog flea or keha (Ctenocephalides canis) a species which feeds primarily on the blood of dogs, but also cats, and sometimes humans. Females must have a blood meal before they can produce eggs. Fleas are a marvel of design; laterally flattened (like fish), and covered with backswept spines, which aid their rapid movement through dense fur - or feathers. Blunt antennae fold flat against grooves behind their eyes. Paper thin, they are almost impossible to kill by crushing. A "mustache" of barbs anchors the face firmly to flesh as they feed on blood. Dunedin *

55004 Dog flea keha cat human Ctenocephalides canis species blood bite female eggs Xenopsylla parapsyllus