What does a yellow tick look like? - briefly
A yellow tick measures roughly 2–5 mm and exhibits a bright yellow to golden‑brown dorsal shield, contrasted by a darker ventral surface. Its legs are slender and pale, and the body may show faint darker spots or patterns.
What does a yellow tick look like? - in detail
A yellow tick is a small arachnid, typically 3–5 mm long when unfed and up to 10 mm after engorgement. Its body is oval and flattened, consisting of a scutum on the dorsal side and a softer ventral surface. The dorsal shield exhibits a bright, buttery hue that may range from pale lemon to deep amber, often with a subtle metallic sheen.
The legs are slender, jointed, and match the overall coloration, though the tips can appear slightly darker. Each leg ends in a pair of claw-like structures that aid in attachment to hosts. The mouthparts, or capitulum, protrude forward and are usually lighter in tone, contrasting with the darker anterior margin of the scutum.
Key visual characteristics include:
- Uniform yellow‑to‑orange dorsal coloration without distinct markings.
- A smooth, glossy surface that reflects light at certain angles.
- Absence of the darker dorsal patterns typical of many ixodid species.
- Visible spiracular plates on the posterior abdomen, often outlined in a faint, darker line.
When engorged, the tick expands dramatically, retaining its yellow coloration but becoming more translucent, allowing the underlying blood meal to be seen as a faint pinkish tint. This change distinguishes a fed specimen from an unfed one, which remains solidly colored and more rigid.