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SIPHONAPTERA (fleas). MECOPTERA (scorpionflies). So far in classification. Exopterygota. Head with gula. Neuropteroid Orders. mandibulate. Hymenoptera. Diptera. 2. Neoptera. Wings. larvae without legs. 4. Mecoptera. Head without gula. Siphonaptera. No wings. rostrate.
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SIPHONAPTERA (fleas) MECOPTERA (scorpionflies)
So far in classification Exopterygota Head with gula Neuropteroid Orders mandibulate Hymenoptera Diptera 2 Neoptera Wings larvae without legs 4 Mecoptera Head without gula Siphonaptera No wings rostrate - Lepidoptera Wings with scales Mecopteroid orders larvae with legs - Trichoptera Wings with hairs
Hexapod Orders Siphonaptera Siphon - tube, aptera - wingless Number of Species 2,400 Common names Fleas Typical habitats Ectoparasites of birds and mammals Distinguishing characteristics -wingless -parasites -siphoning mouthparts -jumping legs -laterally flattened Other features
Mecoptera - Phylogeny Diptera 2 Wings larvae without legs 4 Mecoptera Siphonaptera No wings - Lepidoptera Wings with scales larvae with legs - Trichoptera Wings with hairs
Siphonaptera - Fleas Boreidae - Mecoptera
Fleas - Distinguishing Features Wingless Sucking mouthparts Antennae retractible Jumping legs
Fleas - Life Cycle Pupal stage lasts ~ 7 days Larva feeds on organic matter for ~24 days Natural habitat Eggs hatch in ~ 4 days Adult Eggs drop off host
Fleas - Disease Transmission Bubonic Plague (Black Death)
Three separate diseases (Same bacteria) Bubonic plague -- an infection of the lymph nodes Pneumonic plague -- an infection of the lungs Septicemic plague -- an infection of the blood
Fleas - Disease Transmission Yersinia pestis
Fleas - Disease Transmission Silk Road reservoir
Fleas - Disease Transmission Animated map
Hexapod Orders Mecoptera Mecos - long, ptera - wing Number of Species 600 Common names Scorpionflies, hanging flies Typical habitats Forests Distinguishing characteristics -mouthparts on a snout -swollen terminal segment with ‘stinger’ Other features
Parasitic Mecoptera - Jurassic May have been ectoparasites of early birds and feathered dinosaurs Strashila
Diversity in Mecoptera Bittacidae
Mecoptera - Distribution Panorpidae Bittacidae
Distinguishing features Expanded male genital capsule
Distinguishing features Mouthparts on a snout
Relationship to Siphonaptera Boreidae
Families Panorpidae Bittacidae
Generalized Mecopteran Life Cycle Eggs dropped on ground (Panorpidae, Bittacidae) or laid in moss (Boreidae) Hatch & 4 larvae instars Mating 4th instar larva – digs earthen cell and becomes quiescent (few weeks to several months) Pupate
Mating Behaviour in Scorpionflies Captures a prey item and offers it as a nuptial gift Involve pheromones Male Secretes salivary mass onto leaves Forced copulation
Salivary glands of Panorpa Male Female