>NAPTERA. 



365 



SIPHONAPTERA. 



SARCOPSVLI.il ).l. . 

 ECHIDNOPH.U.A GALLINACEUS, Westw. 

 barcopsyllus gallinaceus, Westw., E.M.M., XI, 246(1875). 

 Echidnophaga gallinaceus, .lord, and Roths., in Thomp. Yab 

 Johnst. Lab. Rept., VII, p. 52, ft'. 1, 14. 21, 27 (1906) ; Nov. Zool., 

 XX. 528; Osborn, U.S.A. Km. Bull. 5- PP- '44 U*'. "• 7"- 77 

 (Sarcopsylla). 



Fig. 226. — Echidnophaga gallinaceus. The small figure inside the dotted 

 circle shows the natural size. (Original.) 



Distribution. — Hill and sub-montane districts of Southern India ; 

 Coimbatore. 



Lifehistory. — Not known in detail in Southern India. The eggs 

 are probably dropped in dusty, dry plates in which poultry are 

 kept, the minute, wriggling, worm-like, hairless larva. 1 living in the 

 dust on small particles of organic matter. Pupa in a slight cocoon 

 composed of grains of sand. The adults attach themselves firmly, 

 after the manner of ticks, to their hosts, usually on the bare portions 

 around (and especially under) the beak in the case of young 

 chickens. I have not found the adult females of this flea encysted 

 or buried in the skin, as described by some writers. 



Fond. The blood ot fowls as a rule : occasionally on dogs, 

 cattle and man. especially on young animals. 



Status. Ma\ be a serious pest of young fowls, attacking also 

 any other animals in the vicinity of the poultry run. 



Control.— Brushing the affected part- with crude- oil emulsion 

 or sweet oil : the latter is better lor fowls. Thorough washing out 



