What does a garden tick look like? - briefly
Garden ticks are tiny, oval arachnids measuring roughly 2–5 mm, displaying a reddish‑brown dorsal shield (scutum) and eight legs, the front pair elongated into a beak‑like structure. Their segmented bodies are lighter underneath and they are wingless.
What does a garden tick look like? - in detail
A garden tick is a small arachnid, typically 2–5 mm long when unfed. Its body is oval and flattened, with a dark brown to reddish‑black hue. The dorsal shield (scutum) covers most of the back in males and partially in females; it is smooth, glossy, and slightly convex. The ventral side is lighter, often pale brown, and may show fine setae (hair‑like structures).
Key visual elements include:
- Capitulum: a short, rounded front segment housing the mouthparts; appears as a small, dark “head” with visible chelicerae and palps.
- Legs: eight legs, each about 1.5 mm long, slender, and banded with pale rings near the joints; the legs are positioned symmetrically around the body.
- Eyes: a pair of simple eyes (ocelli) located near the anterior edge of the scutum; they are tiny and often indistinguishable without magnification.
- Scent glands: small, pale spots on the ventral surface, indicating the locations of the anal and genital openings.
When engorged after feeding, the tick expands dramatically, reaching 8–10 mm in length and becoming markedly balloon‑shaped. The coloration shifts to a lighter, grayish tone, and the scutum may appear stretched and less defined. Engorged specimens also exhibit a smoother, more translucent cuticle.
Distinguishing features from similar species (e.g., deer ticks) are the pronounced leg banding, the relatively larger scutum relative to body size, and the compact, rounded capitulum. These characteristics enable reliable identification in garden environments.