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. 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

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

7. Siphonaptera - FleasBoreidae - Mecoptera

8. Fleas - Distinguishing Features Sucking mouthpartsAntennae retractibleJumping legs Wingless

9. 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

10. Flea Numbers

11. Flea Bites

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

13. 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)

14. Fleas - Disease Transmission Yersinia pestis

15. Fleas - Disease Transmission Silk Road reservoir

16. Fleas - Disease Transmission Animated map

17. Fleas - Disease Transmission

20. 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’

21. Fossil Mecoptera

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

23. Diversity in Mecoptera Bittacidae

24. Mecoptera - Distribution Panorpidae Bittacidae

25. Distinguishing features Expanded male genital capsule

26. Distinguishing features Mouthparts on a snout

27. Relationship to Siphonaptera Boreidae

28. Families Panorpidae Bittacidae

29. 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

30. 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

31. Salivary glands of Panorpa Female Male