The Ability of the Fleas Citellophilus tesquorum and Frontopsylla luculenta luculenta (Siphonaptera, Ceratophyllidae) to Survive Below-Zero Temperatures during Winter

Abstract

This comparative study addresses survivorship of the fleas Citellophilus tesquorum and Frontopsylla luculenta from five natural populations in Siberia at below-zero temperatures during winter. There were interpopulational and intersexual differences within either species as well as differences between populations of the two species in the same host population. The absolute values of below-zero temperatures within the normal climatic range were not of critical importance for flea survival during February when the observations were carried out.