sticktight flea
Noun: 1. A parasitic flea: A small, wingless insect that is an ectoparasite, meaning it lives on the outside of its host. This specific flea is known for attaching itself firmly, especially to the heads of chickens and other birds.
The term "sticktight flea" is used specifically in zoology, veterinary science, and agriculture to refer to this particular parasitic insect. It describes the flea's characteristic behavior of embedding its head into the host's skin, making it difficult to remove. - The infestation of sticktight fleas caused significant distress to the backyard poultry. - A key symptom is the presence of small, dark specks, which are sticktight fleas, clustered around the bird's eyes and comb.
- Scientific Context: In entomology, the sticktight flea () is noted for its sedentary parasitic habit, unlike most fleas which move freely through the host's fur or feathers.
- The sticktight flea exhibits a unique stationary feeding behavior compared to other flea species.
- Sticktight (noun, informal): Sometimes used as a shortened, informal form to refer to the flea itself.
- The hens need to be treated for sticktights.
- Sticktight (adjective, general English): Describing any seed, burr, or object that clings or adheres tenaciously to fur or fabric. This is a separate, more common usage of the compound word.
- The sticktight burs covered the dog's coat after our walk in the field.
- Hen flea: A common alternative name.
- Tropical hen flea: Another name emphasizing its prevalence in warmer climates.
The term "sticktight flea" is a compound noun where "sticktight" functions as an adjective describing the flea's "tight sticking" or tenacious attachment to its host. The definition provided refers exclusively to the parasitic insect, not to the separate, more general adjective "sticktight."
- parasitic on especially the heads of chickens