1. MECOPTERA (scorpionflies) SIPHONAPTERA (fleas)

2. 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

3. 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’

4. Fossil Mecoptera

5. Parasitic Mecoptera - Jurassic May have been ectoparasites of early birds and feathered dinosaurs Strashila

6. Diversity in Mecoptera Bittacidae

7. Mecoptera - Distribution Panorpidae Bittacidae

8. Distinguishing features Expanded male genital capsule

9. Distinguishing features Mouthparts on a snout

10. Relationship to Siphonaptera Boreidae

11. Families Panorpidae Bittacidae

12. 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

13. 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

14. Salivary glands of Panorpa Female Male

15. 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

16. Mecoptera - Phylogeny larvae without legs No wings Wings larvae with legs Wings with hairs Wings with scales - Lepidoptera - Trichoptera Siphonaptera 2 4 Diptera Mecoptera

19. Siphonaptera - FleasBoreidae - Mecoptera

20. Fleas - Distinguishing Features Sucking mouthpartsAntennae retractibleJumping legs Wingless

21. 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

22. Flea Numbers

23. Flea Bites

24. Fleas - Disease Transmission Bubonic Plague (Black Death)

25. 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)

26. Fleas - Disease Transmission Yersinia pestis

27. Fleas - Disease Transmission Silk Road reservoir

28. Fleas - Disease Transmission Animated map

29. Fleas - Disease Transmission