Snow Flea vs Barn Swallow Bug
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Snow Flea | Barn Swallow Bug |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Glaciopsyllus antarcticus | Oeciacus vicarius |
| Order | Siphonaptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Ceratophyllidae | Cimicidae |
| Size | 2-3 mm | 3-4 mm |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Woodlands |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | Oceania | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Snow Flea
A flea that parasitizes petrels and survives Antarctic conditions year-round.
Did You Know?
It is the southernmost known flea, enduring temperatures far below freezing.
Barn Swallow Bug
A cimicid ectoparasite of cliff swallows and barn swallows in North America. It can bite humans in buildings after swallow nests are abandoned.
Did You Know?
Swallow colonies may abandon heavily infested nesting sites and relocate to parasite-free locations.