What does a tick’s face look like? - briefly
A tick’s anterior region is a tiny, flat, brown‑to‑black shield bearing two simple eyes and a pair of short, forward‑projecting chelicerae surrounding the mouthparts (the capitulum). The overall appearance is a compact, oval‑shaped front that functions as the feeding apparatus.
What does a tick’s face look like? - in detail
A tick’s head region, known as the capitulum, is a compact structure that houses the mouthparts and sensory organs. The capitulum projects forward from the body and consists of several distinct components.
- Palps (palpettes): Pair of elongated, segmented appendages located laterally on the front of the capitulum. They function as tactile sensors, helping the tick detect host movement and temperature. In most species, the palps are longer than the chelicerae and terminate in a small, rounded tip.
- Chelicerae: Two short, knife‑like fangs positioned centrally between the palps. Each chelicera bears a sharp, serrated edge used to cut the host’s skin and create a feeding canal. The chelicerae are concealed when the tick is not feeding and become visible only when the mouthparts are extended.
- Hypostome: A barbed, rod‑shaped structure extending from the ventral side of the capitulum. The hypostome contains numerous backward‑pointing teeth that anchor the tick firmly to the host’s tissue during blood ingestion.
- Eyes: Most ixodid ticks possess a pair of simple eyes (ocelli) situated on the dorsal surface of the capitulum, near the base of the palps. The eyes are small, dark spots that provide limited light detection, primarily for orientation.
- Scutum (when present): In hard ticks, the dorsal shield may extend partially over the capitulum, giving the head a smooth, glossy appearance. In soft ticks, the scutum is absent, leaving the capitulum fully exposed.
The overall shape of the head region is triangular when viewed from above, with the apex formed by the palps and the base merging into the body. The coloration ranges from reddish‑brown to dark brown, matching the surrounding cuticle. Surface texture is typically smooth, though microscopic setae may be present along the edges of the palps and chelicerae, providing additional sensory input.