Notes on the Comparative Reproductive-Biology and the Laboratory Breeding of the Rabbit Flea Xenopsylla-Cunicularis Smit (Siphonaptera, Pulicidae)

Abstract

The basic breeding biology of the rabbit flea Xenopsylla cunicularis Smit, 1957 is described, and comparisons are made with other closely related species of Xenopsylla and with Spilopsyllus cuniculi (Dale, 1878), another parasite of the wild rabbit. At 22°C and 80% relative humidity the eggs of X. cunicularis hatch 7-8 days after laying, and the larval stages last 8-9 days. Pupation lasts for a further 20 days for females and 27 days for males. However, at lower relative humidities (22°C, 50% RH) rates of development are slowed considerably. A method for rearing large numbers of X. cunicularis in the laboratory is described.