Hystrichopsylla talpae talpae, mole flea
The flea collection is large and of great historical importance.
260,000 925
Specimens Type specimens
Collection strengths
The collection contains an estimated at 260,000 Siphonaptera specimens representing 73 per cent of the 2,587 described species and subspecies of fleas, including 925 primary types.
Material type
The bulk of the specimens are mounted on microscope slides. The remainder are stored in fluid.
Geographical range
The geographical range of the flea collection is worldwide.
Rothschild collection
At the centre of the Siphonaptera collection is the Rothschild collection given to the Museum as a deed of gift in 1913. It was not registered as Museum property until 1923, when Charles Rothschild died.
The seven volume Catalogue of the Rothschild Collection of Fleas was published by the British Museum of Natural History between 1953 and 1987.
Looking for a specimen?
The siphonaptera collection is being digitised
Senior curator
Important historical collections
Rothschild collection
-
Dressed fleas made in Mexico in 1905
-
Flea illustration by Robert Hooke taken from Micrographia a physiological description of minute bodies made by magnifying glasses (1665)
-
Ctenocephalides canis, dog flea
Any questions ?
If you would like to use any specimens for research
Accessing the collections
Scientists and collections management specialists can visit the collections and borrow specimens for research.
Insect division
Our scientists are conserving the Museum's vast insect collection, collecting and identifying new species and utilizing the collections for cutting edge entomological research.
Collections management
Our duty is to provide a safe and secure environment for all of our collections.
Collections on the move
We have set out on an ambitious programme to develop a new science and digitisation centre. As we prepare for the move, access to some collections will be affected.
Find out more and sign up to our newsletter to receive updates on changes to collections access, relevant news and opportunities to get involved.