Adult Ctenocephalides lay eggs on their hosts. These are approximateley 0.5mm long and white in color. At optimal conditions of temperature and humidity, first stage larvae will hatch about four days later. A mixture of eggs, L1s and adult flea feces drop off the host into the environment where most of the cycle develops. Larvae feed on feces from adult stages and this largely consists of dried host blood and tissue ingested by these feeding adults.
Adults emerge from the pupa and seek a host to feed and reproduce.
Females will lay eggs within 48 hours of feeding on their new host Under optimal conditions of a warm, moist environment the whole flea life cycle may be completed in three weeks. Temperature and moisture are the primary factors controlling the flea life cycle. The life cycle will be completed in 2 to 3 weeks at the high ends of these ranges and may take as long as 3-4 months at the low ends. Temperatures greater than 35'C will kill developing larvae and pupae. Adult fleas may survive from 2 to 6 months in the absence of a host for feeding.