Melas Malaria Mosquito vs Cat Flea
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Melas Malaria Mosquito | Cat Flea |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anopheles melas | Ctenocephalides felis |
| Order | Diptera | Siphonaptera |
| Family | Culicidae | Pulicidae |
| Size | 3-5 mm | 1.5-3 mm |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Underground |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | West African coast, from Senegal to Angola | Worldwide |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Melas Malaria Mosquito
The West African saltwater-breeding member of the Anopheles gambiae complex, breeding in mangrove swamps and brackish lagoons. It is a secondary malaria vector in coastal West Africa. Its high biting rate partially compensates for its lower vector competence compared to A. gambiae.
Did You Know?
Despite being less efficient at transmitting malaria than A. gambiae, its abundance in coastal areas makes it a significant local vector.
Cat Flea
The most common flea on both cats and dogs worldwide. Can jump up to 150 times its body length. A single female can produce up to 2,000 eggs in her lifetime.
Did You Know?
Fleas can jump 150 times their body length — equivalent to a human leaping over a 75-story building. They achieve this using a pad of elastic protein called resilin.