What does a tick look like on black currant? - briefly
A tick on a blackcurrant appears as a tiny, dark brown or black oval, typically 1–3 mm long, attached to the berry’s surface. When engorged, it expands into a reddish‑brown, bladder‑like shape that can obscure the fruit’s skin.
What does a tick look like on black currant? - in detail
Ticks that infest blackcurrant vines are small, oval arachnids ranging from 2 mm in the larval stage to 5 mm when fully grown. The body is divided into two sections: a dorsally convex scutum (hard plate) and a softer opisthosoma. In the adult stage the scutum is dark brown to almost black, often with a faint lighter pattern along the edges. The abdomen is typically lighter, varying from reddish‑brown to gray, and may display faint mottling.
The legs are long, slender, and jointed, extending well beyond the body length. Each leg is banded with alternating dark and pale segments, giving a striped appearance that aids identification against the glossy, deep‑purple hue of ripe berries. When attached, the tick’s mouthparts (hypostome) penetrate the plant tissue, creating a small, pin‑point puncture that is difficult to see without magnification.
Typical locations on the plant include:
- Underside of leaves, especially near the leaf base where humidity is higher.
- Stems and petioles, where the tick can cling to smooth surfaces.
- Occasionally on the surface of berries, appearing as tiny dark specks that may be confused with mold spores.
Larval ticks (seed ticks) are reddish‑orange and lack a scutum, making them appear as faint dots. Nymphs develop a partial scutum and become darker, while adult females acquire a full scutum and engorged bodies that can swell to 8 mm after a blood meal, appearing engorged and pale compared with unfed individuals.
Visual clues indicating infestation:
- Small, dark, oval shapes with visible legs on leaf undersides.
- Tiny puncture marks or slight discoloration where mouthparts have entered.
- Clusters of ticks near leaf axils or along stem joints.
- Engorged females that look like swollen, pale beads attached to the plant.
Microscopic examination reveals the characteristic eight legs, sensory palps, and a pair of ventral spiracles used for respiration. The combination of size, coloration, leg banding, and attachment sites distinguishes these arachnids from other pests such as aphids or mite eggs.