Human Flea vs Chigoe Flea

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute	Human Flea	Chigoe Flea
Scientific Name	Pulex irritans	Tunga penetrans
Order	Siphonaptera	Siphonaptera
Family	Pulicidae	Tungidae
Size	1.5-4 mm	1 mm
Habitat	Underground	Deserts & Drylands
Diet	Blood Feeders	Blood Feeders
Regions	Worldwide	Africa, South America, Central America
Conservation	Least Concern	Least Concern

Human Flea

Once common in human homes, now relatively rare in developed countries. Historically responsible for transmitting bubonic plague. Can jump 33 cm vertically.

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Did You Know?

Human fleas were major plague vectors — the Black Death that killed 75-200 million people in the 14th century was largely spread by fleas on rats entering human homes.

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.

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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.