Sand Martin Flea vs Chigoe Flea
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Sand Martin Flea | Chigoe Flea |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ceratophyllus styx | Tunga penetrans |
| Order | Siphonaptera | Siphonaptera |
| Family | Ceratophyllidae | Tungidae |
| Size | 2-3 mm | 1 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Western Asia | Africa, South America, Central America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Sand Martin Flea
A flea species specific to sand martin colonies in their bank-nesting burrows. It can accumulate in large numbers in nest chambers.
Did You Know?
Colony-nesting birds like sand martins provide an ideal environment for flea population explosions in shared burrows.
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.