Abstract
The cat flea Ctenocephalides felis felis (Bouché) is the most important ectoparasite of domestic cats and dogs worldwide. It has been two decades since the last comprehensive review concerning the biology and ecology of C. f. felis and its management. Since then there have been major advances in our understanding of the diseases associated with C. f. felis and their implications for humans and their pets. Two rickettsial diseases, flea-borne spotted fever and murine typhus, have been identified in domestic animal populations and cat fleas. Cat fleas are the primary vector of Bartonella henselae (cat scratch fever) with the spread of the bacteria when flea feces are scratched in to bites or wounds. Flea allergic dermatitis (FAD) common in dogs and cats has been successfully treated and tapeworm infestations prevented with a number of new products being used to control fleas. There has been a continuous development of new products with novel chemistries that have focused on increased convenience and the control of fleas and other arthropod ectoparasites. The possibility of feral animals serving as potential reservoirs for flea infestations has taken on additional importance because of the lack of effective environmental controls in recent years. Physiological insecticide resistance in C. f. felis continues to be of concern, especially because pyrethroid resistance now appears to be more widespread. In spite of their broad use since 1994, there is little evidence that resistance has developed to many of the on-animal or oral treatments such as fipronil, imidacloprid or lufenuron. Reports of the perceived lack of performance of some of the new on-animal therapies have been attributed to compliance issues and their misuse. Consequentially, there is a continuing need for consumer awareness of products registered for cats and dogs and their safety.
Highlights
The cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis felis (Bouché), is the most important ectoparasite of domesticated cats and dogs worldwide
Several reviews dealing with insecticide resistance, toxicology of veterinary insecticides, and the control of cat fleas have been written during this period
All of the C. felis larvae that fed on adult fecal material and frozen cat flea eggs developed into adults whereas only 6.6% that fed on fecal blood developed into adults
Summary
The cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis felis (Bouché), is the most important ectoparasite of domesticated cats and dogs worldwide. The last comprehensive reviews of the biology and control of the cat flea were provided two decades ago [1,2]. Several reviews dealing with insecticide resistance, toxicology of veterinary insecticides, and the control of cat fleas have been written during this period. This systematic review will incorporate them, the advancements in our knowledge about cat flea biology, ecology, and the rapidly changing control strategies over the past 20 years. Of the 478 articles reviewed, the distribution of references in the sections covered is approximately as follows: Biology and Ecology (134), Veterinary and Medical Importance (54), Rearing and Testing Methodologies (15), Pest Management (221), Environmental Control (5), Toxicology of Ecotoparasiticides (27), Treatment Failure and Insecticide Resistance (18), Natural and Biological Control (3), and IPM (3)
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