Giant Armadillo Flea vs Rabbit Flea

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Giant Armadillo Flea Rabbit Flea
Scientific Name Tunga caecata Spilopsyllus cuniculi
Order Siphonaptera Siphonaptera
Family Tungidae Pulicidae
Size 1-2 mm 1.5-2 mm
Habitat Underground Grasslands
Diet Blood Feeders Blood Feeders
Regions South America Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

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.

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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.

Rabbit Flea

A flea specific to European rabbits with a remarkable reproductive strategy tied to its host. It can transmit myxomatosis between rabbits.

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Did You Know?

Rabbit flea reproduction is controlled by rabbit hormones — the flea can only breed when feeding on a pregnant doe near the time of birth.