8 BULLETIN 248, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



flea 95 days and the dog flea 58 days, the Indian rat flea 38 days, and 

 a species of bird or chicken flea (C'eratophyllus gattinae) 127 days. 

 These records were made with individuals which received no food 

 whatever. When kept in a box and fed at frequent intervals, he found 

 the human flea to live for more than 513 days. The European rat flea 

 lived 1Q6 days, the dog flea 234 days, the Indian rat flea fed on man 

 100 days, and the above-mentioned chicken flea 345 days. 



In Texas the author has observed the " sticktight," or chicken 

 flea, to live for several weeks attached to a host, but the greatest 

 possible longevity has not been determined. 



In experiments conducted in California Mitzmain had specimens 

 of the European rat flea alive for 160 days when fed frequently, the 

 Indian rat flea for 49 days, and the common ground-squirrel flea 

 (Ceraiophyllus acutus) more than 64 days. 



In India and California the longevity with unfed fleas was found 

 to be much shorter than is indicated by the records made in England. 

 Usually the maximum longevity of unfed rat fleas in these warmer 

 climates is but a few days. 



Experiments made by Mr. C. Strickland in England, and some con- 

 ducted by the author in Texas, indicate that the presence of rubbish, 

 dust, or sand, in which the adults may secrete themselves, is an im- 

 portant factor in increasing longevity of unfed fleas. This is espe- 

 cially true during hot, dry weather. 



BREEDING PLACES. 



In addition to having suitable hosts upon which the adult fleas may 

 feed and thus produce eggs, it is essential that the eggs, the maggots 

 which hatch from them, and the pupae which finally again produce 

 adults have favorable conditions for development. In houses these 

 conditions are usually found in the cracks of the floors or under mat- 

 ting or carpets. Rat fleas often breed in numbers in granaries, barns, 

 warehouses, and basements, particularly when these are not in con- 

 stant use or when gunnysacks and rubbish are allowed to accumulate 

 in such places. The immature stages of " sticktight " fleas breed 

 mainly in buildings, such as chicken houses, barns, and sheds which 

 are inhabited by the principal hosts. 



Dirt floors in chicken houses or sheds seem to be more favorable 

 than wooden floors for flea development. The young fleas may be 

 found amongst the partially dried excrement, straw, feathers, and 

 other waste in such situations. Fleas have been found also to repro- 

 duce in great numbers under corncribs and buildings where dogs sleep 

 or chickens go during the heat of the day. Here the maggots are in- 

 termingled with and feed upon the animal and vegetable matter 

 which has accumulated on the soil. 



