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Glite Dictionary
Pulex irritans

Pulex irritans

9.8
A small flea that lives on people and pets and bites their skin
  • noun
  • /ˈpjuːlɛks ˈɪrɪtænz/
  • Specialized
translation icon : pulga humana
  • Pulex irritans is commonly found infesting both humans and domestic animals.

Examples

  • The bites from Pulex irritans can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

  • Pulex irritans is responsible for many cases of flea bites in households worldwide.

  • Researchers found a high concentration of Pulex irritans in urban pet populations.

  • The Pulex irritans is often found on pets.

  • Did you know that Pulex irritans can transmit diseases?

  • Many households struggle with infestations of Pulex irritans during the summer months.

  • Nick discovered that Pulex irritans had multiplied in his home after adopting a stray cat.

Surface Forms

Pulex irritans singular
Pulex irritanses plural

Morphology

Pulex + irritans

The first element 'Pulex' is given as a genus of fleas, so a learner who knows that constituent can infer this is a flea name; however 'irritans' is not a recognizable English word here and the Latin binomial system (genus + species) is not a productive compositional pattern for B1 learners to derive the specific meaning 'human flea'. Because part of the meaning (that it is a flea) is transparent but the precise species sense and the Latin species epithet are not predictable, this is best classified as semi-transparent.

Etymology

Pulex irritans comes from two Latin words: pulex ('flea') and irritans ('irritating'). That's why the name paints the picture of a small biting insect that bothers people, and today it refers to the common 'human flea'.