What do feathered ticks look like? - briefly
Feathered ticks are small, oval arachnids covered in dense, plumose hairs that give them a fuzzy, brush‑like appearance, especially on the dorsal shield. Their coloration ranges from light brown to reddish tones, depending on species and life stage.
What do feathered ticks look like? - in detail
Feathered ticks are a morphological form of certain arachnid ectoparasites distinguished by a dense covering of elongated setae that resemble tiny plumes. The body retains the typical oval, dorsoventrally flattened shape of ixodid ticks, measuring 3–6 mm in length when unfed and expanding to 8–12 mm after engorgement. The dorsal shield (scutum) remains hard and dark brown to black, often exhibiting a subtle matte sheen.
Key visual characteristics include:
- Setal plumage: rows of fine, hair‑like structures extend from the anterior margin of the scutum and continue along the lateral edges of the idiosoma. Each seta tapers to a pointed tip, creating a feather‑like fringe up to 0.5 mm long.
- Color contrast: the plumage is usually lighter than the underlying cuticle, ranging from pale amber to creamy white, which accentuates the dark central shield.
- Leg morphology: legs are proportionally longer than in non‑plumed species, with the same feathered setae present on the femora and tibiae, giving a slightly fuzzy appearance to the extremities.
- Mouthparts: the capitulum (mouthparts) remains concealed beneath the scutum, showing no additional ornamentation; the feathery setae do not extend onto the gnathosoma.
The feathered structures serve as a diagnostic feature, differentiating these ticks from smooth‑shelled counterparts that possess only sparse, short hairs. Within the group, variation exists among species: some display uniformly dense plumage, while others have a gradient, with denser setae near the anterior and sparser coverage posteriorly. Engorged individuals retain the feathered appearance, though the setae become stretched and may appear flattened against the swollen body.
Overall, the combination of a hardened, dark scutum, contrasting light plumage, elongated legs, and the distinctive feather‑like setae provides a clear visual profile for identification.