How long does an ixodid tick live? - briefly
Ixodid ticks generally survive for one to three years, varying by species and climate. Their lifespan encompasses the egg, larval, nymphal, and adult stages, each requiring a blood meal to progress.
How long does an ixodid tick live? - in detail
Ixodid (hard) ticks experience a multi‑year life cycle that varies among species and environmental conditions. The cycle consists of four distinct phases: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. Each phase can last from weeks to several months, and the complete lifespan typically ranges from two to five years.
- Egg stage – Females deposit several hundred to several thousand eggs on the ground after feeding. Under optimal temperature (20‑25 °C) and humidity (>80 % relative humidity), eggs hatch within 2–4 weeks. Cooler or drier conditions extend incubation to 6–8 weeks.
- Larval stage – Newly emerged larvae seek a small host (rodents, birds). After a single blood meal, they detach and drop to the substrate to molt. The feeding period lasts 2–7 days; the subsequent questing period before molt can be 1–3 months, depending on climate.
- Nymphal stage – Nymphs require a medium‑sized host (e.g., squirrels, dogs). They feed for 3–10 days, then molt to adults. The nymphal questing interval may span several months to over a year, especially in temperate zones where nymphs overwinter.
- Adult stage – Adult females locate large hosts (deer, livestock, humans). After engorgement (5–10 days), females detach to lay eggs and then die. Adult males typically survive only long enough to mate, often dying within weeks after copulation. In species such as Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor variabilis, adult females can live 6–12 months post‑molt, while males may persist for 2–3 months.
Key factors influencing longevity:
- Temperature – Warmer temperatures accelerate development; extreme heat reduces survival.
- Humidity – High relative humidity is essential for desiccation resistance; low humidity shortens questing periods.
- Host availability – Frequent successful blood meals shorten the interval between stages; scarcity forces prolonged questing or diapause.
- Diapause – Many species enter a dormant state during unfavorable seasons, extending the overall life span by up to a year.
Overall, most hard tick species complete their development in 2–3 years, but some, particularly those in cooler climates with intermittent host access, can persist for up to 5 years before the female’s final oviposition.