18
most people grossly underestimate how many sorts
of flea there are.
All fleas are essentially alike in several
respects - they are insects, possessing six legs
are wingless and are laterally flattened to aid
movement through fur or feathers. Added to
this are spiny combs around the mouth or neck and
stout bristles on the body or legs to prevent
active removal by the host. Fleas are parasites,
and obtain their nourishment by sucking blood
from the host using specially modified mouthparts,
similar to a mosquito. The intimate relationship
of flea and host is sometimes highly specific,
in that some fleas are found only on one host.
The Essex flea fauna was originally detailed in
an important paper by George (1959) published in
The Essex Naturalist. In over 30 years almost
nothing has been added to this knowledge,
although there were evidently some prominent gaps.
For some years I have been collecting fleas and
flea records from Essex and would hope in the
near future to publish a complete update and
revision of the Essex fauna. This will most
probably be as a supplement to the proposed
Diptera of Essex in preparation by Smith and
Hanson. As an aid to completeness I would
welcome any specimens (in alcohol, please) or
records which anyone would be prepared to forward
to me. I would like to take this opportunity to
thank all those people who have thus far
assisted me in this review, notably Del Smith,
Don Hunford, John Skinner and Bob George. A
current faunal list of fleas known to have occurred
in Essex is appended.
Phil Withers 27 Beech Way Dickleburgh Diss
Norfolk.