Mole Flea vs Chigoe Flea
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Mole Flea | Chigoe Flea |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hystrichopsylla talpae | Tunga penetrans |
| Order | Siphonaptera | Siphonaptera |
| Family | Hystrichopsyllidae | Tungidae |
| Size | 4-6 mm | 1 mm |
| Habitat | Caves | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Africa, South America, Central America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Mole Flea
The largest European flea, found on moles and other burrowing mammals.
Did You Know?
At six millimeters it is easily visible to the naked eye unlike most flea species.
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.