Ticks

Question 1

Argasidae

Answer 1

• Soft ticks
• No scutum
• Mouthparts not readily visible
• Multiple, shorter feedings
• Egg, larvae (6 legs), multiple nymph stages, adult (8 legs)

Question 2

Life cycle

Answer 2

• Simple metamorphosis with larval and nymphal stages resembling adults
• Separate sexes with females laying eggs off the host
• Larva (6 legs, no reproductive organs) hatches, feeds on host and molts to nymph
• Nymph (8 legs, no functional reproductive organs) feeds on host and molts to another nymph (soft ticks) or adult (hard ticks)
  
  • Soft ticks have 2 or more nymphal stages; hard ticks have only one
• All adult hard ticks feed on blood whereas not all adult soft ticks do
• Soft ticks tend to live inside (burrows, dens, hutches, etc.), feed rapidly and spend relatively little time on the host. Hard ticks tend to live outdoors, feed slowly and spend longer time on the host.
• Most ticks cannot tolerate direct sunlight, dryness or excessive rainfall; tick activity decreased during the cold months and increases during spring and fall, and will be variable over the summer.

Question 3

Ixodidae

Answer 3

• Hard ticks
• Scutum present
• Visible mouthparts
• One, longer feeding
• Egg, larvae (6 legs), nymph (8 legs), adult (8 legs)
• Can be divided into one-host (all stages on one host), two-host (two stages on one host) or three-host (all stages on different hosts) ticks.