The biology of Ctenocephalides canis in Ireland

A colony of Ctenocephalides canis was established using dogs as hosts. Two diets were used as media. Fleas reared on cats did not develop beyond the first larval stages. The effects of different temperatures on egg hatching and larval development were examined. Larval survival was poor at 22 degrees C and 25 degrees C at 50% relative humidity, but good at 75% relative humidity at these temperatures. The development from egg to adult took 21 days.