Sticktight flea - Echidnophaga gallinacea
Sticktight flea or Echidnophaga gallinacea is a common external parasite of poultry and is a major pest of domestic chicken in Southern United States.
It is usually found burrowed into the skin of its hosts, mostly chicken, but this flea can also attack humans, cats or dogs. While remaining attached to fleshy parts of chicken's head around the eyes, wattles and other bare spots, females cause ulcers in which they lay their eggs. Heavy infestations can result in anemia, blindness, severe pathology or death of birds if untreated.
Sticktight flea is one of the smallest pest fleas with adults approximately 0.06-0.16 inches (1,5 – 4 mm) long. Their life cycle is similar to that of other fleas, the only difference is that after fertilization females remain attached to the host. Depending on environmental factors, the life cycle of sticktight fleas lasts approximately from 30 to 60 days.
Adult sticktight fleas can be removed manually with tweezers, also different chemical or non-chemical flea management products can be applied.
Sticktight flea is found worldwide in the tropics and subtropics. It is reported to be the most ordinary flea on dogs in some regions of South Africa while is also common on dogs and cats in Florida and reaches as far north as Kansas and Virginia.
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