Seasonal abundance of fleas (Siphonaptera) and sucking lice (Anoplura) on gray squirrels, Sciurus carolinensis, in central Tennessee, USA

Three species of lice and 1 species of flea occurred on Gray Squirrels, Sciurus carolinensis, in a deciduous woodland near Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee, USA. These were Hoplopleura sciuricola, Neohaematopinus sciuri, Enderleinellus longiceps and Orchopeas howardii. H. scuricola increased in abundance over the last half of the year, whereas both N. sciuri and E. longiceps showed midsummer and midwinter peaks. An early Spring peak in O. howardii, abundance coincided with parturition and parental care of the 1st brood of young among the host population: female fleas were most prevalent at about this time as well as during the corresponding period for the 2nd brood of young. Male hosts were generally more heavily infested than females by all ectoparasites.