VPA 221: Veterinary Entomology and Acarology (1+1)

HEAD

• No compound eyes, lateral ocelli are present on either side of the head (certain authors feel that these are the reduced compound eyes)
• Antenna is three segmented, short, clubbed and found recessed in deep antennal fossa- another adaptation of the flea to easily move about on the host
• Mouth parts are piercing and sucking type in the adult and its mastigatory type in larvae
• Backwardly directed bristles or spines are seen in the gena region- called the genal combs
• Adaptation to impede flea being dragged backwards due to the host activity