Rat Flea vs Marbled Minor
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Rat Flea | Marbled Minor |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Xenopsylla brasiliensis | Oligia strigilis |
| Order | Siphonaptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Pulicidae | Noctuidae |
| Size | 1.5-2.5 mm | 24-28 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Root Feeders |
| Regions | Africa, South America, India | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Rat Flea
A tropical rat flea found across Africa and South America that can transmit plague. It is second to the oriental rat flea in importance as a plague vector.
Did You Know?
Despite its name suggesting Brazilian origin, it is most commonly found on rats throughout sub-Saharan Africa.
Marbled Minor
A small, cryptically marked moth that is extremely variable in pattern. Part of a complex of similar-looking species that can only be reliably separated by dissection.
Did You Know?
Part of a notoriously difficult species complex where three species look almost identical.