What does a street tick look like? - briefly
A street tick is a tiny, oval arachnid measuring roughly 2–5 mm, with a reddish‑brown or dark brown dorsal shield and a lighter underside. Its short, sturdy legs and fine, fuzzy hairs give it a slightly fuzzy appearance.
What does a street tick look like? - in detail
A street tick is a small arachnid, typically 2–5 mm in length when unfed, expanding to 6–10 mm after a blood meal. The body consists of two main sections: the anterior capitulum (head) and the posterior idiosoma (abdomen). The capitulum houses the mouthparts—chelicerae and a hypostome—used to pierce skin and anchor to the host. It appears as a dark, rounded projection at the front of the organism.
The idiosoma is oval and slightly flattened, covered by a scutum (a hard shield) in many species. The scutum’s coloration ranges from reddish‑brown to dark brown, often speckled with lighter spots or fine, hair‑like setae that give a fuzzy appearance. In unfed specimens, the dorsal surface may display a subtle pattern of lighter arches or bands, while engorged ticks become markedly swollen, taking on a glossy, almost translucent look as the cuticle stretches over the blood‑filled interior.
Key morphological features include:
- Legs: Eight legs, each 0.5–1 mm long, attached near the posterior margin of the idiosoma. Legs are banded with alternating dark and light segments, ending in tiny claws that aid in clinging to vegetation or fabric.
- Eyes: No true eyes; instead, a pair of simple photoreceptive organs (ocelli) located on the capitulum, invisible without magnification.
- Mouthparts: A ventrally positioned hypostome with backward‑pointing barbs, enabling firm attachment during feeding.
- Genital aperture: A small, circular opening on the ventral side of the idiosoma, often concealed by the scutum in males.
When attached to a host, the tick’s abdomen expands dramatically, turning from a compact oval to a balloon‑like shape that can exceed 10 mm. The cuticle becomes stretched and smooth, losing most visible setae, while the coloration shifts to a pale gray or pinkish hue due to the blood meal.
In summary, a street tick is a diminutive, shielded arachnid with a dark, speckled dorsal shield, eight banded legs, a concealed head bearing specialized piercing structures, and a ventral genital opening. Its size and appearance change noticeably after feeding, expanding the abdomen and altering surface texture and color.