Chigoe Flea vs Giant Armadillo Flea
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Chigoe Flea | Giant Armadillo Flea |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Tunga penetrans | Tunga caecata |
| Order | Siphonaptera | Siphonaptera |
| Family | Tungidae | Tungidae |
| Size | 1 mm | 1-2 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Underground |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | Africa, South America, Central America | South America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Chigoe Flea
A tiny tropical flea whose fertilized females burrow into the skin of the feet, causing painful swelling called tungiasis. It is the smallest known flea.
Did You Know?
The female chigoe flea swells to the size of a pea after burrowing into skin, growing to nearly 100 times her unfed volume.
Giant Armadillo Flea
A burrowing flea related to the chigoe flea that parasitizes armadillos in South America. Like its relative, the gravid female embeds into the host's skin.
Did You Know?
It is one of only a few flea species in the world that burrows into its host's skin to feed and reproduce.