cat flea

Thân thiện

A cat flea jumps from a cat's fur onto a clean blanket.

Definition

Noun: A small, wingless, blood-sucking insect (Ctenocephalides felis) that is a common external parasite, breeding primarily on domestic cats but also frequently found on dogs and rats.

Usage

The term "cat flea" is used to specifically identify this common parasite species. It is typically used in veterinary, pest control, and general biological contexts. - The veterinarian confirmed the itching was caused by a cat flea infestation. - Despite its name, the cat flea is the most common flea found on dogs in many regions. - Effective treatment targets all life stages of the cat flea.

Advanced Usage

• Scientific/Technical Context: In entomology and parasitology, "cat flea" precisely refers to , distinguishing it from other flea species like the dog flea () or human flea ().
  • The study compared the reproductive rates of the cat flea under different climatic conditions.

Variants and Related Words

• Flea (n): The general term for all insects of the order Siphonaptera. "Cat flea" is a specific type of flea.
• Infestation (n): A state of being overrun by parasites such as fleas.
  • A severe cat flea infestation can cause anemia in kittens.

Synonyms

• Parasite: A broader term for an organism that lives on or in a host, deriving nutrients at the host's expense. (Less specific)
• Ctenocephalides felis: The formal scientific binomial name.

Related Phrases/Compounds

• Flea dirt: The feces of fleas, which appears as small black specks and is a sign of an infestation.
• Flea allergy dermatitis: A common skin condition in pets caused by an allergic reaction to cat flea saliva.
  • Even a single cat flea bite can trigger severe flea allergy dermatitis in a sensitive animal.

Học thuật

Noun

1. flea that breeds chiefly on cats and dogs and rats

Từ đồng nghĩa

• ctenocephalides felis