Influence of Temperature and Humidity on Survival and Development of the Cat Flea, Ctenocephalides Felis (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae)

The survival and development of the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis, were assessed at various temperatures and relative humidities (RH). The upper and lower temperature limits for development (egg to adult) were 32 and 13°C. The length of the developmental period ranged from 14 to 140 days at these temperature extremes. Complete development occurred from 50–92% rh. Immature C. felis reared at 92% rh produced larger adults than those reared at 50% rh. At 27°C, the minimum rh necessary for greater than 50% survival of the immature stages was egg, 33%; larva, 50%; and pupa, 2%. Adult longevity increased with increasing rh and decreasing temperature.