What is the lifespan of a tick larva? - briefly
Under optimal temperature and humidity, a tick larva remains viable for about two to four weeks before molting, whereas adverse conditions can extend its survival to several months.
What is the lifespan of a tick larva? - in detail
The larval phase of a tick begins when the egg hatches. An unfed larva can persist for several weeks to a few months, depending on temperature and humidity. Cool, moist environments extend survival, while high temperatures and desiccation reduce it.
Once the larva locates a suitable host, it attaches, feeds for 2–5 days, and then detaches to molt. The feeding period is the most time‑intensive portion of the larval stage. After engorgement, the larva typically enters a resting period (the “off‑host” phase) lasting 5–10 days before undergoing ecdysis to become a nymph. In some species, especially in temperate regions, the off‑host interval may last several weeks if environmental conditions delay molting.
Key factors influencing duration:
- Temperature: Optimal 10–25 °C accelerates development; below 5 °C can halt progress for months.
- Relative humidity: Above 80 % prevents desiccation; lower levels increase mortality.
- Host availability: Absence of a host prolongs the unfed stage; when a host is found, feeding duration is fixed by species‑specific physiology.
- Species: Ixodes scapularis larvae feed for 2–3 days and molt after ~7 days; Dermacentor variabilis larvae may feed up to 5 days with a post‑feeding period of 10–14 days.
In summary, the larval stage lasts from a few weeks in favorable conditions with prompt host contact to several months when larvae remain unfed in suboptimal environments. The critical interval—post‑feeding molting to nymph—generally spans 1–2 weeks after blood intake.