Tropical Springtail vs Human Flea

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute	Tropical Springtail	Human Flea
Scientific Name	Seira domestica	Pulex irritans
Order	Collembola	Siphonaptera
Family	Entomobryidae	Pulicidae
Size	2.0-3.0 mm	1.5-4 mm
Habitat	Underground	Underground
Diet	Detritivores	Blood Feeders
Regions	Africa, South America, Europe	Worldwide
Conservation	Not Evaluated	Least Concern

Tropical Springtail

A large elongate springtail found in tropical regions and greenhouses. It has distinctive dark and pale banding patterns.

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Did You Know?

This springtail is frequently imported into temperate countries hidden in potted tropical plants.

Human Flea

Once common in human homes, now relatively rare in developed countries. Historically responsible for transmitting bubonic plague. Can jump 33 cm vertically.

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Did You Know?

Human fleas were major plague vectors — the Black Death that killed 75-200 million people in the 14th century was largely spread by fleas on rats entering human homes.