Cat flea larva. Scanning electron micrograph of a third instar larva of a cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis). The head is on the left. The cat flea is a small,wingless,blood-sucking insect. The maggot- like larva hatches from an egg on the ground and feeds on organic debris,favouring the faeces of adult fleas. After moulting twice it becomes a third instar larva. (Each instar is a stage between moults. ) This measures about 0. 5cm in length and will eventually spin a cocoon and metamorphose into an adult. Most of the flea's life - including egg,larva,cocoon and adult - is spent off the host. Magnification unknown | |
Licence : | Droits gérés |
Crédit: | Science Photo Library / Kjeldsen, K.H. |
Taille de l’image : | 5022 px × 3723 px |
Model Release : | Non requis |
Property Release : | Non requis |
Restrictions : | - |