Consumption of flea faeces and eggs by larvae of the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis.

The effects of the consumption of flea faeces and non-viable eggs on larval development in the cat flea Ctenocephalides felis (Bouché) (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) were investigated. Only 13.3% of larvae developed into adults when fed a diet of male or female flea faeces alone; however, 90% of larvae developed into adults when fed on flea faeces supplemented with non-viable flea eggs. When fed with non-viable eggs alone, larvae did not develop into adults. Nevertheless, non-viable eggs may provide critical supplemental nutrients, lacking in flea faeces and required for larval development. None of the larvae fed on flea faeces or non-viable eggs alone formed a cocoon. A diet of flea faeces alone significantly extended the second as well as third larval stadia compared to larvae fed on diets containing non-viable eggs. It is suggested that the cannibalism of fertile eggs may limit population growth in the cat flea.