THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 197 



LIST OF THE SIPHONAPTERA OF CALIFORNIA. 



BY M. B. MITZMAIN, B. S., TECHNICAL ASSISTANT, LABORATORY FOR 



PLAGUE SUPPRESSIVE MEASURES, U. S. P. H. & M. H. S., 



SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. 



The wealth of fauna displayed in the list of mammals from California 

 makes one wonder at the paucity of Siphonaptera recorded from the 

 Golden State. The comparative ease with which specimens can be 

 obtained, and the economic bearing of these parasites in the dissemination 

 of epizootics of obscure origin, furnish an ample incentive for the collection 

 and study of these insects. We are, nevertheless, aware of the repugnance 

 assumed by certain entomologists toward the degenerate flea, and the disre- 

 pute in which Siphonapterologists arc likely to be esteemed. This contempt, 

 we observe, is not the brand which is bred through familiarity. We venture 

 to surmise, a familiarity with the flea and its behaviour would indeed win 

 many students for research in the Siphonaptera. 



We may be presumptuous enough to maintain, that of all insects in 

 California, the flea is probably the most populur ; that is to say, it is "the 

 most sought after.'' Then, too, the hunting season for the flea appears to 

 be open throughout the year, though at some periods it proves a greater 

 " craze " than at others. The present gigantic endeavours of the Surgeons 

 of the U. S. Public Health and Marine Hospital Service in their efficient 

 measures for the suppression of plague in California, are stirring up a 

 popular interest in the flea and its notorious associations. One of the 

 Surgeons in this Service, Dr. Carroll Fox, during the few months engaged 

 in this work has contributed to the California Siphonaptera a greater 

 number of species than any other entomologist. 



The bibliographical references pertain only to the records of California 

 workers. 



Prior to 1905 the Siphonaptera recorded from California consisted of 

 the following species : 



Anomiopsyllus Californicus, Baker. 



Ceratophyllus acutus, Baker. 



C proximus, Baker. 



C. sexdentatus, Baker. 



C. Californicus, Baker. 



C. ciliatus, Baker. 



The first of these was described in 1904, Invert. Pacif, I, p. 39. The 

 remainder were recorded from California in 1904, Proc. U. S. N. M., 

 XXVII. 



June, 1909 



