What are tick larvae called? - briefly
Tick larvae are commonly called “larvae” or “seed ticks,” the six‑legged stage that follows hatching from the egg.
What are tick larvae called? - in detail
Tick larvae are commonly referred to as “seed ticks.” In the life cycle, the egg hatches into this six‑legged stage, which then seeks a host for a brief blood meal before molting into a nymph.
The larval form exhibits several distinctive features:
- Six legs (three pairs) rather than the eight found on nymphs and adults.
- Small body size, typically 0.2–0.5 mm in length.
- Soft, translucent cuticle that hardens after the first blood meal.
- Limited host range; many species attach to small mammals, birds, or reptiles.
Feeding behavior differs from later stages. Larvae attach for a few hours to a few days, ingesting only enough blood to complete development. After engorgement, they detach, drop to the ground, and undergo ecdysis, emerging as eight‑legged nymphs.
Species variation influences terminology. For example, in the genus Ixodes, the term “seed tick” is widely used, while some acarologists simply label the stage “larva.” In medical literature, the phrase “larval tick” appears in descriptions of disease transmission risk, emphasizing that pathogens acquired at this stage are typically passed to the next developmental stage rather than directly to humans.
Understanding the nomenclature and biology of this stage is essential for accurate identification, control measures, and epidemiological studies.