What does a moose tick look like? - briefly
A moose tick is a tiny, dark brown to black arachnid about 2–3 mm long, featuring a flattened, oval body with a scutum covering the female’s back; males lack the scutum and appear slightly lighter. Its short, sturdy legs end in minute claws that grasp the host’s fur.
What does a moose tick look like? - in detail
The moose tick, Dermacentor albipictus, is a hard‑bodied arachnid measuring roughly 3–5 mm when unfed and expanding to 8–12 mm after a blood meal. Its dorsal surface displays a dark brown to black scutum, often with a subtle mottled pattern of lighter spots that can form a faint checkerboard appearance. The ventral side is lighter, typically reddish‑brown, and the legs are relatively long, giving the tick a somewhat “spindly” silhouette.
Key morphological characteristics include:
- Capitulum: short, projecting forward; mouthparts visible from a dorsal view.
- Palps: elongated, slender, and visibly longer than the basis capituli.
- Festoons: a series of rectangular plates along the posterior margin of the idiosoma, usually 12 in number.
- Eyes: a pair of dorsal eyes positioned near the anterior margin of the scutum.
- Coloration: adult females become markedly engorged, their abdomen turning a deep reddish‑orange, while males retain a flatter, darker profile.
The tick’s overall shape is oval when relaxed, becoming more rounded as it fills with blood. The integument is smooth, lacking prominent hairs, which distinguishes it from many other ixodid species. These physical traits enable reliable identification in field and laboratory settings.