What does a clover tick look like? - briefly
A clover tick measures roughly 2–3 mm, featuring a flattened, oval body that is reddish‑brown on the dorsal side with a darker scutum covering the back. Its eight short, sturdy legs emerge from a lighter‑colored ventral surface.
What does a clover tick look like? - in detail
The clover tick is a small arachnid, typically 2–3 mm long when unfed and up to 10 mm after a blood meal. Its dorsal shield (scutum) is dark brown to black, often with a faint, irregular pattern of lighter mottling that can appear as faint speckles. The edges of the scutum are smooth, lacking the ornate ornamentation seen in some other tick species.
Key visual elements include:
- Body shape: Oval, slightly flattened dorsally; the abdomen expands noticeably when engorged, giving a rounded, balloon‑like appearance.
- Coloration: Uniformly dark in unfed individuals; engorged specimens turn a pale, reddish‑brown as the cuticle stretches.
- Legs: Eight legs, each about half the body length, slender and brown, ending in small claws that grip vegetation.
- Mouthparts: Visible from the ventral side; the hypostome is a short, barbed tube used for feeding, with a pair of palps flanking it.
- Sexual dimorphism: Adult females are larger and more robust, especially after feeding; males remain relatively small and retain a narrower abdomen.
When the tick is attached to a host, the ventral side becomes visible. The capitulum (feeding apparatus) protrudes slightly, and the engorged abdomen may obscure most of the dorsal markings. In contrast, a free‑living, unfed tick shows the full scutum and leg arrangement, allowing easy identification in field surveys.
Distinguishing this species from similar ticks relies on the combination of a smooth, dark scutum, the absence of distinct white or yellow markings, and the relatively short hypostome. These characteristics enable reliable recognition during ecological monitoring or veterinary inspections.