What does a tick nymph look like? - briefly
A tick nymph is a tiny, translucent to light‑brown arachnid about 1–2 mm long, with an oval, flat body and eight visible legs. It lacks the hardened scutum of adult females and often appears glossy after a blood meal.
What does a tick nymph look like? - in detail
A tick nymph is a small, six-legged arthropod measuring roughly 0.5 mm to 1 mm in length, depending on species and engorgement status. The body is divided into two main sections: the anterior capitulum (mouthparts) and the posterior idiosoma (main body). The capitulum, visible as a tiny, forward‑projecting structure, houses the chelicerae and hypostome used for feeding; it often appears darker than the surrounding cuticle.
The idiosoma is oval, slightly flattened dorsoventrally, and covered by a thin, semi‑transparent chitinous exoskeleton. In unfed nymphs, the cuticle is typically light brown to reddish‑brown, sometimes with a faint pattern of darker spots or a mottled appearance that provides camouflage on vegetation. After a blood meal, the nymph expands dramatically, becoming glossy and swollen; its color may shift to a deep reddish hue as the engorged abdomen fills with blood.
Key morphological features include:
- Six legs, each ending in a pair of claws that can grasp hair or plant surfaces.
- Small, pale‑colored spiracular plates on the ventral side, used for respiration.
- A pair of sensory organs called Haller’s organs located on the forelegs, appearing as rounded pits.
- Absence of a visible scutum (the hard shield present on adult females), resulting in a more flexible, softer dorsal surface.
The nymph’s eyes are absent; visual perception relies on the Haller’s organs and chemosensory receptors. The mouthparts extend forward, forming a short, barbed hypostome that anchors the nymph to the host during feeding. When not attached to a host, the nymph moves slowly, employing a “questing” posture: front legs extended upward while the other legs hold the body against a leaf or twig.
Overall, a tick nymph presents as a minuscule, brownish, semi‑transparent creature with six legs, a distinct capitulum, and a soft, expandable abdomen that becomes markedly engorged after feeding.