Oriental Rat Flea vs Chigoe Flea
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Oriental Rat Flea | Chigoe Flea |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Xenopsylla cheopis | Tunga penetrans |
| Order | Siphonaptera | Siphonaptera |
| Family | Pulicidae | Tungidae |
| Size | 1.5-2.5 mm | 1 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | Tropical and subtropical regions worldwide | Africa, South America, Central America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Oriental Rat Flea
The primary vector of bubonic plague, responsible for transmitting the bacterium Yersinia pestis between rats and humans. It is a small, dark brown flea found on rodents.
Did You Know?
This flea species was responsible for transmitting the Black Death, which killed an estimated one-third of Europe's population.
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.