Ischnopsyllidae - Myodopsylla collinsi?
Order
Siphonaptera
Family Ischnopsyllidae Myodopsylla collinsi? Size: 1.86 mm (larva) Group Guild Status Trogloxene Parasite Common Larvae of a species of bat flea were found on the Maternity Roost guano deposit in August of both 2010 and 2011. The larvae were relatively common on the guano deposit, and appeared to be concentrated near the peak of the guano mound, possibly indicating hopeless attempts by the larvae to climb back to the roost. No adults were found, and the larvae have not been identified to species. However, of the 11 species of bat fleas recorded from North America, only Myodopsylla collinsi has been recorded from the cave myotis, including several records from Arizona (Bradshaw and Ross 1961; Jameson 1959; Lewis and Lewis 1994; Reisen et al. 1976; Ubelaker 1966; Whitaker and Easterla 1975). We suspect that the larvae are probably this species. |
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