How does the demodex tick reproduce? - briefly
«Females lay eggs within hair follicles or sebaceous glands; the eggs hatch into six‑legged larvae that molt sequentially into protonymphs, deutonymphs, and finally mature adults capable of reproduction.»
How does the demodex tick reproduce? - in detail
Demodex mites reproduce sexually. Adult males locate females within the same follicle or sebaceous gland and engage in copulation that lasts several minutes. After mating, the female deposits eggs onto the wall of the follicle or gland duct. Each female can lay between 10 and 40 eggs over her lifespan, which lasts approximately two weeks.
The developmental sequence consists of four distinct stages:
- Egg – spherical, 0.1 mm in diameter; incubation lasts 3–4 days at normal skin temperature.
- Larva – six-legged form that emerges from the egg; it feeds on sebum and cellular debris for about 3 days.
- Nymph – eight-legged stage; two successive molts occur, each lasting 4–5 days, during which the organism enlarges and prepares reproductive organs.
- Adult – fully formed mite capable of reproduction; reaches sexual maturity after roughly 10 days from hatching.
Mating occurs shortly after the adult stage is reached. Fertilization is internal; the male transfers sperm via a specialized copulatory organ. The fertilized eggs are retained by the female until oviposition. Off‑spring remain within the same follicle until they complete the larval stage, after which they may disperse to neighboring follicles through skin shedding or direct contact with another host.
Transmission between hosts is primarily mechanical. Contact with contaminated skin, bedding, or cosmetics can transfer adult mites or eggs to a new individual. Because the life cycle is completed within 2–3 weeks, populations can expand rapidly under favorable conditions such as increased sebum production or compromised immune defenses.