336 APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY 



One of the fleas commonly called the "sticktight" flea {Echidnophaga gnlli- 

 nacea Westw.) is a rather important pest of fowls in the South and Southwest, 

 causing trouble as far north as Kansas. These fleas gather chiefly on the heads 

 of the birds where they are noticeable around the eyes and on the wattles and 

 comb, but may occur elsewhere on the animal. Chickens are often killed by 

 these fleas but older fowls are more resistant. This flea differs from most other 

 species by remaining most of its life on the fowl, whence its common name. 



Where the infestation is severe, the use of carbolated vaseline, or a mixture of 

 lard 2 parts and kerosene 1 part, carefully applied only to the places where the 

 fleas are on the fowl; the destruction of rats which also harbor this pest, and a 

 thorough cleaning of the poultry houses are desirable. Salt on the soil where the 

 fleas are breeding, followed by a liberal application of water by sprinkling, this 

 last repeated two or three times a week, will destroy the young, but no salt 

 should be left for the poultry to feed upon. 



One species of flea differs somewhat in its habits from most of these 

 insects. It is known as the Chigoe or Jigger flea {Tunga 'pene- 

 trans L.) and occurs in the tropical and subtropical portions of America 

 and also in Africa and India. It should not be confused with a tiny mite 

 (Class Arachnida) which has somewhat similar habits and is found as far 

 north as Massachusetts and I^ake Erie, which is abundant on bushes, and 

 which on man burrows into the skin causing considerable irritation. 



Fig. 354. — Chigoe (Tunga penetrans Ij.): a, an Unfertilized female; h, onefertilized, 

 which has penetrated the skin and is beginning to enlarge; c, one enormously enlarged 

 by the development of eggs. All enlarged. (From Berlese.) 



■ The Chigoe is found on domestic animals, birds and man. The 

 female (Fig. 354a) is at first about a twenty-fifth of an inch long but its 

 abdomen may later become as large as a small pea. The adults move 

 about but when the female has been fertilized it burrows into the skin 

 of the host and its body begins to enlarge (Fig. 3546 and c) by the develop- 

 ment of eggs, causing a painful wound like an ulcer. The eggs are expelled 

 into this ulcer or may fall to the ground but, in either case, hatch in a few 

 days, and those in the wound then work out and drop to the ground. 

 The regions usually attacked in persons are the bare feet, though no 

 part of the body is entirely free from the danger of being attacked. Pus 



