Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #71502
Title: EFFECT OF LUFENURON ON THE SKELETAL STRUCTURE OF ADULT FLEAS

Author
item MEOLA, R - TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
item PULLEN, S - TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
item Meola, Shirlee

Submitted to: Veterinary Parasitology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/29/1996
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Histological and electron microscopical studies showed that adult cat fleas fed blood containing 0.5 ppm lufenuron failed to form a normal exoskeleton. Differences in thickness and structure of the endocuticle were evident as early as 3 days after fleas began feeding when histological sections of cuticle from lufenuron-fed fleas were compared with sections through the cuticle of control fleas fed untreated blood. At the EM level, intersegmental membranes were much thinner in lufenuron-fed fleas and numerous protein granules were observed. The presence of these granules in a disorganized array throughout the endocuticle indicated that protein deposition between chitin microfibrils was disrupted during endocuticle formation. The lamellar arrangement of chitin microfibrils also was disoriented in lufenuron-fed fleas. This structural weakness of the endocuticle may contribute to the mortality of fleas when the exoskeleton expands during reproduction. After 8 days, nearly 28% of the lufenuron fed fleas were dead compared with only 6% mortality in the controls.