Flea species in NZ

Fleas (Siphonaptera) are the insects forming the order Siphonaptera. They are wingless, with mouthparts adapted for piercing skin and sucking blood. Fleas are external parasites, living by hematophagy off the blood of mammals and birds.

Some flea species include:

Cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis)
Dog flea (Dog Fleas) (Ctenocephalides canis)
Human flea (Pulex irritans)
Moorhen flea (Dasypsyllus gallinulae)
Northern rat flea (Nosopsyllus fasciatus)
Oriental rat flea (Xenopsylla cheopis)


Over 2,000 species have been described worldwide.