Rabbit Flea vs Sunflower Leaf Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Rabbit Flea Sunflower Leaf Beetle
Scientific Name Spilopsyllus cuniculi Zygogramma exclamationis
Order Siphonaptera Coleoptera
Family Pulicidae Chrysomelidae
Size 1.5-2 mm 6-8 mm
Habitat Grasslands Grasslands
Diet Blood Feeders Herbivores
Regions Europe North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Rabbit Flea

A flea specific to European rabbits with a remarkable reproductive strategy tied to its host. It can transmit myxomatosis between rabbits.

💡

Did You Know?

Rabbit flea reproduction is controlled by rabbit hormones — the flea can only breed when feeding on a pregnant doe near the time of birth.

Sunflower Leaf Beetle

A pale yellowish-brown beetle with dark brown elytral stripes that curve to form an exclamation-mark-like pattern. It feeds on sunflower and related composites.

💡

Did You Know?

Its species name 'exclamationis' refers to the exclamation-point-shaped dark mark on each elytron.