[Evaluation of different meridic diets upon adult emergence of Ctenocephalides felis felis (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae)]

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the influence of meridic diets composed by blood from different animal species upon the adult emergence of Ctenocephalides felis felis fleas. Six artificial diets containing dried blood of cattle (standard), dogs, rabbit and chicken, combined with sand or sand/wheat bran were prepared. For each diet six samples containing ten C. f. felis eggs were evaluated. After 25 days of incubation, samples were assessed for adult emergence. The number of emerge fleas for diets composed by bovine, canine, rabbit and chicken combined with sand/ wheat bran was approximately eight fleas. Diets composed by bovine and canine combined with sand, this emergence was approximately one flea, for both. It can be concluded that the blood origin do not alter significantly C. f. felis adult emergence rate. Therefore, blood from any available animal species can be used for artificial diet formulation, combined with wheat bran in order to supply any nutritional losses occurred during blood dehydration.