How many larvae does a tick lay? - briefly
A female tick releases several thousand larvae after one engorgement, usually between 1 000 and 5 000 depending on the species. For example, Ixodes scapularis females may lay up to about 3 000 larvae.
How many larvae does a tick lay? - in detail
Ticks reproduce by laying eggs after a single blood meal. A engorged female typically deposits a batch of eggs in a protected environment, where the eggs hatch into six-legged larvae.
The quantity of eggs per female varies among species but generally falls within a predictable range. Most hard‑ticks produce several thousand eggs; soft‑ticks often lay fewer, sometimes only a few hundred.
- «Ixodes scapularis»: 2 000 – 5 000 eggs per female.
- «Dermacentor variabilis»: 3 000 – 7 000 eggs per female.
- «Rhipicephalus sanguineus»: 1 500 – 4 000 eggs per female.
- «Ornithodoros moubata» (soft‑tick): 200 – 800 eggs per female.
Several factors influence the final count:
- Size of the blood meal – larger meals provide more nutrients for egg production.
- Ambient temperature and humidity – optimal conditions accelerate embryogenesis and may increase survival of the clutch.
- Genetic traits of the population – some strains exhibit higher fecundity.
The reproductive output defines the potential for population growth and disease transmission. Understanding the typical egg numbers for each species assists in modeling tick dynamics and implementing control measures.