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

Siphonaptera - FleasBoreidae - Mecoptera

Fleas - Distinguishing Features Sucking mouthpartsAntennae retractibleJumping 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 4 th 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