Are flea larvae black?

cat flea larvae have red digestive tracks, which may appear black

Kalumet

Img 1 Flea larvae have dark red digestive tracks, which can be seen through their transparent cuticles. This can cause the larvae to appear black from a distance.

Summary

Flea larvae can appear black. However, upon closer inspection, they’ll actually be a dark red color. Larvae consume the blood feces of adult fleas. As a result, their guts take on a crimson color. Since larvae have transparent bodies, the red digestive track can be seen through it.

Details

Pet owners sometimes give accounts of seeing tiny black worms or maggots in their homes. These are most likely flea larvae, especially if found in areas where pets frequently rest.

Flea larvae in carpet

Vid 1 Video of cat flea larvae in carpeting. Their red guts can appear black from a distance, especially on a light-colored background.

Flea larvae have translucent, white-colored bodies. The primary food source of flea larvae is adult flea droppings. The so-called flea dirt is composed of partially digested host blood. Upon consuming the fecal blood, the larval digestive tract turns a dark red to purple color. The crimson-colored innards become clearly visible through the semi-transparent cuticle. As a result, the larvae appear much darker, and somewhat brown. From a distance, they may look black.

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