What are ticks called? - briefly
Ticks are arachnids belonging to the order Ixodida, commonly referred to simply as ticks. In taxonomic classification they fall within the subclass Acari.
What are ticks called? - in detail
Ticks belong to the order Ixodida, a group of arachnids commonly referred to as ticks. Within this order, three families are recognized:
« Ixodidae » – hard ticks, characterized by a scutum covering the dorsal surface; includes species such as the deer tick, the dog tick, and the lone star tick.
« Argasidae » – soft ticks, lacking a scutum and possessing a leathery, flexible cuticle; includes the common sand tampan and the fowl tick.
« Nuttalliellidae » – a monotypic family represented by Nuttalliella kolbii, displaying traits of both hard and soft ticks.
The term “tick” is a vernacular name applied to all members of Ixodida. In scientific literature, the precise designation varies by family and genus. For example, Ixodes scapularis is called the black‑legged tick, while Rhipicephalus sanguineus is known as the brown dog tick. The broader category of “mite” encompasses ticks, but the distinction is maintained: mites belong to the subclass Acari, whereas ticks are a specialized lineage within that subclass.
Common alternative names encountered in regional contexts include:
- « dog tick » – refers to Rhipicephalus sanguineus or Dermacentor variabilis.
- « deer tick » – denotes Ixodes scapularis, a vector of Lyme disease.
- « cattle tick » – identifies Boophilus microplus, a pest of livestock.
In taxonomic classification, ticks are placed as follows: Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Arthropoda, Class Arachnida, Subclass Acari, Order Ixodida. This hierarchy clarifies the precise scientific nomenclature used by acarologists and veterinary professionals.