While there isn't enough information present to specifically identify these ticks, you can say a few things about them from the video:
- The have only 6 legs, and are therefore larvae.
- In North America, the long mouth parts and ovoid body would be most consistent with Ixodes species.
We've actually seen these little wonders before in a different blog post:
HERE is momma tick laying her eggs, with a video showing the action HERE. I HIGHLY recommend this video - it is fascinating! You may want to check out the other great videos on this site: https://vimeo.com/user1369895. Thanks again to Graham for sharing his 'babies' and passion for acarology with the rest of the world.
While I. scapularis tick larvae won't usually hatch until this summer, the nymphs that have over-wintered from last year are now out, so be sure to take precautions against tick bites when outdoors!
1 comment:
A wonderful movie. Regretably the mass of eggs covers up a most interesting female tick feature, the Gene's Organ.
During the process of egg laying, the eggs are extruded from the genital pore (ventral). The palps bend toward the pore pick up the egg and transfer it to the dorsal surface of the capitulum. The 2 horns of Gene's organ grab the egg and roll them over the porose areas which covers the egg with a protective coating of wax. The Gene;s Organ appear inflated and come from a slit on the capitulum and only appear during egg laying
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