What does a tick that attacks currants look like? - briefly
A tick that infests currants is a tiny, reddish‑brown arachnid about 2–3 mm long, with a flattened, oval body and a dark dorsal shield (scutum) covering the female’s back. Its legs are relatively long and visible, giving the insect a spindly appearance.
What does a tick that attacks currants look like? - in detail
The tick that parasitizes currant plants is a small arachnid, typically 2–4 mm long when unfed. Its body consists of two distinct regions: a dorsal shield (scutum) that is brown to reddish‑brown and a lighter ventral plate. The scutum is smooth, lacking obvious ornamentation, and may show faint punctuations near the edges. Legs are eight, relatively short, and covered with fine hairs that give a velvety appearance; the first pair is slightly longer, aiding in attachment to stems and leaves.
When engorged after feeding on plant tissue, the specimen expands to 5–7 mm, the abdomen becoming distended and paler, often appearing whitish‑cream. The mouthparts are a short, pointed capitulum adapted for piercing plant surfaces and extracting sap. Eyes are absent; sensory structures are limited to a pair of dorsally placed eyespots in some species.
Key morphological traits:
- Size: 2–4 mm (unfed), 5–7 mm (engorged)
- Color: Brown to reddish‑brown dorsal shield; lighter ventral side; pale abdomen when engorged
- Body shape: Oval, with a clearly demarcated scutum and flexible abdomen
- Legs: Eight, short, hair‑covered; first pair marginally longer
- Mouthparts: Short capitulum, needle‑like, suited for plant tissue penetration
- Sensory organs: Minimal, typically a pair of dorsal eyespots (if present)
Females are larger and more robust than males, which are slightly smaller and have a narrower scutum. Nymphal stages resemble adults but lack fully developed scuta and have proportionally longer legs. The tick’s life cycle includes egg, larva, nymph, and adult stages, each capable of attaching to currant shoots, leaves, or developing berries. Identification relies on the combination of size, coloration, scutum shape, and the characteristic short, stout mouthparts.