• Commonly called ‘Rat flea’.

• Blood sucking Ectoparasite on rat.

• Body is small, yellowish or brownish, wingless, heavily chitinised and tough.

• Hind legs are exceptionally long with elongated coxae.

• It serves as the vector of Pasteurella pestis and Rickettsia mooseri.

• Plays an active role in spreading murine typhus fever.

• Adult’s piercing bites causing itching.

• Mouth parts – Piercing and sucking type with 3 piercing styles.