Kauaʻi record · KCA-IA-00765
Pulex simulans
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About Pulex simulans
False Human Flea (Pulex simulans) is a member of Pulicidae in the order Siphonaptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced / adventive.
Pulex simulans is a flea of dogs and other mammals that was formally recorded from Kauaʻi in a 1967 Hawaiian survey.
Kauaʻi occurrence evidence: Haas & Wilson (1967) report P. simulans from Kauaʻi for the first time, based on their survey of Pulex on dogs in Hawaiʻi.
The cited occurrence evidence does not by itself establish current abundance or population trend on Kauaʻi.
Life cycle
Egg; larva; pupa; adult; holometabolous ectoparasite life cycle.
Habitat
Associated with mammal or bird hosts and host bedding/nests; Kauaʻi occurrence is host-associated rather than free-living habitat occupancy.
Food and ecological role
Adults blood-feed on hosts; larvae consume organic debris and flea feces in host environments.
Reproduction
Adults mate on or near hosts; eggs fall into host resting areas; species-specific fecundity requires sourcing.
Movement
Dispersal occurs with hosts and movement among host resting sites; anthropogenic host transport can spread introduced fleas.
Ecosystem role
Ectoparasite; some species have veterinary or disease-vector significance.
Monitoring
Lock modern Kauaʻi locality/voucher detail where available, accepted-name authority, host or microhabitat associations, and exact-taxon public reference media/license.
Names and classification
- Scientific name
- Pulex simulans
- Common names
- False Human Flea
- Family
- Pulicidae
- Order
- Siphonaptera
- Record type
- species
Kauaʻi occurrence and status
- Kauaʻi occurrence
- Present / documented
- Origin
- Introduced / adventive
- Conservation status
- Not assessed
Process and seasonal context
- Seasonal description
- False Human Flea (Pulex simulans) is a member of Pulicidae in the order Siphonaptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced / adventive.