Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Flea \Flea\, n. [OE. fle, flee, AS. fle['a], fle['a]h; akin to
D. ?, OHG. fl?h, G. floh, Icel. fl?, Russ. blocha; prob. from
the root of E. flee. ? 84. See {Flee}.] (Zo["o]l.)
An insect belonging to the genus Pulex, of the order
Aphaniptera. Fleas are destitute of wings, but have the power
of leaping energetically. The bite is poisonous to most
persons. The human flea ({Pulex irritans}), abundant in
Europe, is rare in America, where the dog flea ({P. canis})
takes its place. See {Aphaniptera}, and {Dog flea}. See
Illustration in Appendix.
{A flea in the ear}, an unwelcome hint or unexpected reply,
annoying like a flea; an irritating repulse; as, to put a
flea in one's ear; to go away with a flea in one's ear.
{Beach flea}, {Black flea}, etc. See under {Beach}, etc.
Source : WordNet®
Pulex irritans
n : the most common flea attacking humans