Studies on the life cycle of Ctenocephalides felis felis vis-à-vis development of cysticercoid of Dipylidium caninum

The developmental cycle of Ctenocephalides felis felis was studied with a simultaneous attempt to develop cysticercoid of Dipylidium caninum by feeding eggs to flea larva. Eggs of flea were used after 10 hours of laying and maintained in a growth media comprising of ox blood, chicken mash and fine sand in the ratio of 1: 4: 8, larvae developed were fed on dried blood and chicken mash until they were fully grown. The present trial on life cycle of flea could be completed in 24 days maintained at a temperature of 33°±1°C. It was concluded that development of different stages of flea from egg to adult depends upon environmental temperature, humidity and oxygen tension. Attempt to develop metacestode stage in the flea was partially successful. Severe mortality of flea larvae was observed perhaps due to lethal effect of eggs by 11 days.