The Effect of Initial Infection of Citellophilus tesquorum altaicus Ioff, 1936 (Siphonaptera: Ceratophyllidae) with Yersinia pestis on Its Alimentary Activity, Mortality, and Biofilm Formation

Abstract

Alimentary activity and mortality was assessed in fleas Citellophilus tesquorum altaicus non-infected with Yersinia pestis and those with initial infection levels 50 and 100% during feeding on a non-specific host (white mice). The presence of the plague pathogen in fleas significantly stimulated their feeding activity, especially in females. No effect of infection on flea mortality was observed. At the same time, male fleas died more frequently than females.