Lava fleas were a type of six-legged insect species that originated on the volcanic planet of Mustafar. Possessing eyes capable of discerning light from dark, they also had strong legs which aided in jumping. Their robust, shock-absorbent exoskeletons allowed them to thrive on the planet's scorching surface. They consumed the planet's crust, creating numerous subterranean caverns that the indigenous sentient Mustafarian species then occupied. Given Mustafar's harsh environment, the Mustafarians utilized the resilient local wildlife, domesticating lava fleas for use as riding animals. Travelers from other worlds also made use of these fleas for transportation.
The initial appearance of lava fleas was in the 2005 film Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith, part of the prequel trilogy. Sang Jun Lee, a South Korean artist, was responsible for their design. During production, they were originally called "Jun bugs," but were ultimately renamed lava fleas.