Siphonaptera

Common Name: fleas

Order Name Means: "tube without wings"

Wingless (secondarily)

Laterally flattened, saltitorial

Both sexes hematophagous ectoparasites

Piercing-sucking mouthparts

Antennae lying in grooves

Body with many backward-directed setae and spines

Legs terminating in strong claws

Immature stages terrestrial, apodous with distinct head capsule