What is a tick called? - briefly
A tick is a parasitic arachnid belonging to the order Ixodida. It is commonly referred to simply as a tick.
What is a tick called? - in detail
A tick is an arachnid belonging to the subclass Acari, order Ixodida. The scientific designation for members of this group is “ixodid.” Within the order, two families dominate: Ixodidae (hard ticks) and Argasidae (soft ticks). Hard ticks possess a dorsal shield called a scutum; soft ticks lack this structure and have a more flexible cuticle.
The organism’s life cycle comprises four stages: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. Each stage, except the egg, requires a blood meal from a vertebrate host. Larvae and nymphs are often termed “seed ticks” and “nymphal ticks,” respectively, while mature individuals are simply “adult ticks.”
Common vernacular names include:
- Deer tick (Ixodes scapularis) – vector of Lyme disease in North America.
- Dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) – known for transmitting Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
- Poultry tick (Argas persicus) – affects birds and occasionally bites humans.
In medical and veterinary literature, the term “acarid” is sometimes employed to refer broadly to ticks and related mites, but precise identification relies on family and species names. The distinction between hard and soft varieties influences control strategies, as hard ticks remain attached for days, whereas soft ticks feed for minutes. Understanding the taxonomy and life-stage terminology is essential for accurate diagnosis, surveillance, and treatment of tick-borne diseases.