MECOPTERA(scorpionflies)

SIPHONAPTERA(fleas)

So far in classification

Neoptera

Exopterygota

Head with gula

Head without gula

Neuropteroid Orders

mandibulate

rostrate

Hymenoptera

larvae without legs

No wings

Wings

larvae with legs

Wings with hairs

Wings with scales - Lepidoptera

- Trichoptera

Siphonaptera

2

4

Diptera

Mecoptera

Mecopteroid orders

Siphonaptera

Number of Species

Common names

Distinguishing characteristics

Other features

Typical habitats

Hexapod Orders

2,400

Fleas

Ectoparasites of birds and mammals

-wingless-parasites

Siphon - tube, aptera - wingless

-siphoning mouthparts-jumping legs-laterally flattened

Mecoptera - Phylogeny

larvae without legs

No wings

Wings

larvae with legs

Wings with hairs

Wings with scales - Lepidoptera

- Trichoptera

Siphonaptera

2

4

Diptera

Mecoptera

Mecoptera

Siphonaptera - Fleas Boreidae - Mecoptera

Fleas - Distinguishing Features

Sucking mouthparts Antennae retractible Jumping legs

Wingless

Fleas - Life Cycle

Larva feeds on organic matter for ~24 days

Pupal stage lasts ~ 7 days

Natural habitat

Adult

Eggs drop off host

Eggs hatch in ~ 4 days

Flea Numbers

Flea Bites

Fleas - Disease Transmission

Bubonic Plague (Black Death)

Bubonic plague -- an infection of the lymph nodes

Pneumonic plague -- an infection of the lungs

Septicemic plague -- an infection of the blood

Three separate diseases (Same bacteria)

Fleas - Disease Transmission

Yersinia pestis

Fleas - Disease Transmission

Silk Road

reservoir

Fleas - Disease Transmission

Animated map

Fleas - Disease Transmission

Mecoptera

Number of Species

Common names

Distinguishing characteristics

Other features

Typical habitats

Hexapod Orders

600

Scorpionflies, hanging flies

Forests

-mouthparts on a snout

Mecos - long, ptera - wing

-swollen terminal segment with ‘stinger’

Fossil Mecoptera

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

Mating

Eggs dropped on ground (Panorpidae, Bittacidae) or laid in moss (Boreidae)

Hatch & 4 larvae instars

4th instar larva – digs earthen cell and becomes quiescent (few weeks to several months)

Pupate

Mating Behaviour in Scorpionflies

Male

Captures a prey item and offers it as a nuptial gift

Secretes salivary mass onto leaves

Forced copulation

Involve pheromones

Salivary glands of Panorpa

Female

Male