Migration of fleas of the Isabelline wheatear (Oenanthe isabellina Temm. 1829) , Frontopsylla frontalis Alatau Fed. 1946
Shevchenko, V.L.
Meditsinskaia Parazitologiia i Parazitarnye Bolezni 50(3): 64-69
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-8326 PMID: 6454831 Document Number: 172870
Migration of F. frontalis fleas was studied in the Volga-Urals [USSR] sands in 1971-1976 in specially constructed artifical burrows. The period of F. frontalis migration in the Northern Caspian sea area was in late March-April. Flea migration begins when the average daily air temperature reaches 2.4.degree. C. The earliest and most active migration was seen in fleas fed on rodents or birds the previous autumn. There was no summer or autumn migration of fleas. Sharp declines in the air temperature did not interrupt F. frontalis migration while extreme humidity of the soil due to rains or dew decreased its intensity. Peak flea migrations slightly preceded mass flights of O. isabellina.