What does a tick on a bee look like? - briefly
A tick on a bee appears as a tiny, dark, oval‑shaped parasite, typically attached to the abdomen or thorax, with its legs visible around the body. It measures about 1–2 mm in length and stands out against the bee’s glossy exoskeleton.
What does a tick on a bee look like? - in detail
A tick attached to a bee is a tiny, oval‑shaped arachnid, typically 0.5–1 mm in length when unfed and up to 3 mm after engorgement. Its dorsal surface bears a smooth, leathery cuticle that may appear light brown to reddish‑orange, matching the bee’s coloration and making it difficult to see. The body consists of two main sections: the anterior capitulum, which houses the mouthparts, and the posterior idiosoma, which expands as the tick feeds.
The capitulum contains the chelicerae and hypostome, the latter equipped with backward‑pointing barbs that anchor the parasite to the bee’s exoskeleton. When the tick is engorged, the hypostome remains visible as a small, dark, pointed projection at the attachment site. Surrounding this point, the cuticle may show a slight swelling of the bee’s cuticle, indicating blood intake.
Legs are short, six‑segmented, and positioned laterally on the idiosoma. In the unfed stage, they are pale and easily concealed; after feeding, the legs may darken but remain proportionally small compared to the enlarged body. The tick’s eyes are simple ocelli, appearing as tiny dark spots near the anterior margin, rarely noticeable without magnification.
Key visual cues for identification:
- Size: 0.5–1 mm (unfed) → up to 3 mm (engorged).
- Shape: Oval, slightly flattened dorsally.
- Color: Light brown to reddish‑orange, darkening after feeding.
- Attachment point: Visible hypostome with barbs, often at the bee’s thorax or abdomen.
- Leg length: Short, six‑segmented, inconspicuous.
Microscopic examination reveals the tick’s sclerotized scutum covering most of the dorsal surface, a characteristic feature distinguishing it from other small arthropods that may be present on bees. The combination of size, shape, coloration, and the presence of a barbed mouthpart provides a reliable description of the parasite’s appearance on its host.