[Species composition, abundance, and annual cycles of fleas (Siphonaptera) on bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus) in the western part of Vologda Province (Babaevo district)].

A total of 383 fleas of 11 species were collected from 428 bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus) near Babaevo Vill. (59 degrees 4', N, 35 degrees 8' E). Three species (Amphipsylla rossica, Doratopsylla dasycnema, Palaeopsylla soricis) are not typical for these rodent hosts, moving onto the latter occasionally from other animals, such as the common vole Microtus arvalis and shrews inhabiting adjacent or similar biotopes. Peromyscopsylla bidentata, infesting the bank vole in the most part of its range, was recorded only as a single female. Megabothris turbidus was also very rare, being sporadically recorded from May to October. Probably, study area is the northernmost border of its range. The most abundant species, Ctenophthalmus uncinatus, had two picks of average abundance: in April, when imagoes emerge from overwintering cocoons, and in July. Then the number of fleas decreased and the last solitary individuals were recorded till December. Amalaraeus penicilliger is a perennial parasite, being most abundant in winter. Other species were few in number. Imagoes of Megabothris rectangulatus were recorded from April to August, possessing two peaks of abundance: in April, when they emerged from overwintered cocoons, and in July, when the second generation emerged. Peromyscopsylla silvatica is the monovoltinous species emerging in July-August and parasitizing till September. Rhadinopsylla integella was the most abundant in October-December, but a few specimens were recorded in January. The polyxenous species Hystrichopsylla talpae emerged in late July and occurred till September.