What does a flower tick look like? - briefly
A flower tick is a minute, oval arachnid, usually 2–5 mm in length, with a reddish‑brown dorsal shield and eight slender legs that become more prominent when the tick is engorged with blood.
What does a flower tick look like? - in detail
A flower tick is a minute arachnid, typically measuring 2–5 mm when unfed. The body consists of two main sections: a dorsal shield (scutum) and a ventral idiosoma. The scutum is usually dark brown to black, smooth, and slightly convex, covering the entire dorsal surface in males and a portion in females. The ventral side displays a lighter, reddish‑brown hue, often with fine, pale setae.
The legs are eight in number, each bearing long, slender segments. Leg length exceeds body length, giving the organism a “spider‑like” silhouette. Segments are articulated, with the first pair bearing sensory organs (palps) that appear as short, tapering appendages near the mouth. The mouthparts include chelicerae and a hypostome, the latter equipped with rows of backward‑pointing barbs for anchoring to host tissue.
Key visual markers include:
- A distinct, oval scutum with a uniform dark coloration.
- A pair of small, rounded eyes positioned anteriorly on the scutum.
- Fine, pale hairs covering the ventral surface, creating a subtle speckled pattern.
- Legs that are noticeably longer than the body, each segment bearing tiny, dark punctuations (setae) along the edges.
When engorged after feeding, the abdomen expands dramatically, turning a deep reddish‑brown to purplish shade, while the scutum remains unchanged in color and size. This morphological shift provides a clear visual cue for identification.