What does a tick with a detached head look like? - briefly
A tick whose head has been removed looks like a tiny, rounded, brown‑red capsule about the size of a grain of rice, with a smooth, slightly flattened dorsal surface where the mouthparts once protruded. The absence of the front segment leaves a clean, uninterrupted outline.
What does a tick with a detached head look like? - in detail
A tick that has lost its capitulum (head and mouthparts) presents a distinct morphology compared to an intact specimen. The dorsal shield (scutum) remains intact, retaining the characteristic oval or rectangular shape and the species‑specific pattern of grooves and punctuations. The abdomen, whether unfed or engorged, appears as a smooth, rounded segment that may be significantly enlarged after a blood meal; its color ranges from pale beige in unfed stages to deep reddish‑brown or black when fully engorged.
Key visual indicators of head detachment include:
- Absence of the capitulum: No visible hypostome, chelicerae, or palps. The anterior margin of the idiosoma is smooth, lacking the typical “mouth‑part” protrusion.
- Cuticular scar: A small, circular or oval depression where the capitulum was attached, often surrounded by a thin, translucent membrane.
- Reduced size of the front region: The anterior third of the body appears truncated, giving the tick a “blunt” appearance.
- Color contrast: The area surrounding the scar may be slightly lighter or darker than the surrounding cuticle due to tissue loss.
- Engorgement signs: If the tick has fed, the abdomen expands dramatically, creating a balloon‑like profile; the detachment does not affect this expansion.
In cross‑section, the detached head leaves a narrow opening in the exoskeleton that may be visible under magnification. The remaining body still possesses the spiracular plates and coxal plates, which retain their species‑specific arrangement and can aid identification even after head loss.