What does a field tick look like? - briefly
A field tick is a small, oval arachnid about 3–5 mm long, with a reddish‑brown dorsal shield (scutum) and a lighter, mottled underside; its legs are long, slender, and typically darker than the body. The mouthparts (capitulum) extend forward from the front of the body, giving the tick a distinctive “beaked” profile.
What does a field tick look like? - in detail
A field tick is a small arachnid, typically 2–5 mm long when unfed. The dorsal shield (scutum) is oval, dark brown to reddish‑brown, often with a lighter, mottled pattern of pale patches or fine speckles. The ventral surface is paler, usually off‑white or light gray, with a distinct, smooth abdomen that expands dramatically after a blood meal.
The front‑facing mouthparts (capitulum) project forward, bearing a pair of short, serrated chelicerae and a barbed hypostome used for anchoring to skin. Six legs emerge from the underside of the idiosoma; each leg measures roughly the same length as the body, ending in small claws that aid in climbing vegetation. Leg segments are lightly banded, with the first pair sometimes appearing slightly darker.
Sexual dimorphism appears after engorgement: females swell to 10–15 mm, their abdomen becoming balloon‑like and translucent, revealing a grayish‑blue interior filled with blood. Males remain comparatively small, seldom exceeding 6 mm, and retain a more compact shape.
Key visual identifiers include:
- Oval, dark dorsal shield with irregular lighter markings
- Forward‑projecting mouthparts with a barbed hypostome
- Six evenly spaced legs with subtle banding
- Distinct size increase in females after feeding, producing a rounded, translucent abdomen
These characteristics enable reliable identification of a field tick in its natural environment.