Merus Malaria Mosquito vs Chigoe Flea
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Merus Malaria Mosquito | Chigoe Flea |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anopheles merus | Tunga penetrans |
| Order | Diptera | Siphonaptera |
| Family | Culicidae | Tungidae |
| Size | 3-5 mm | 1 mm |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | East African coast, from Somalia to South Africa | Africa, South America, Central America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Merus Malaria Mosquito
A saltwater-breeding member of the Anopheles gambiae complex found along the East African coast. It breeds in brackish pools along the coast and in inland salt pans. While less efficient than A. gambiae, it can be locally important for malaria transmission in coastal areas.
Did You Know?
Its tolerance for saltwater breeding sites sets it apart from its freshwater sibling species in the A. gambiae complex.
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.