Insect Order Siphonaptera - fleas
Fleas are small laterally compressed (flattened from side to side) holometabolous (having a complete metamorphosis) insects. They are all apterous (flightless [from a = not, and pteron = wing]). They have no eyes though 2 simple ocelli may be present, their antennae short and stout and their adult mouthparts are adapted for piercing and sucking. The larvae are eruciform and apodous meaning they look like a caterpillar with no legs The adults are all blood sucking ectoparsites ( a parasite which lives on the outside of its host) of mammals and birds, while in general the larvae are detritivores feeding on minute particles of discarded organic matter still adhering to the host, or on the substrate of a commonly used sleeping place or nest. The bodies of both adults and larvae have many backward pointing hairs and powerful leg muscles.