Community identification

Likely tick larva (“seed tick”)

Unidentified; possibly a hard tick (family Ixodidae)

Order & Family: Ixodida; likely Ixodidae
Size: The pictured speck is only a few millimeters or smaller; tick larvae are typically about 0.5–1 mm.

Natural Habitat

Ticks occur in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas and attach to passing animals or people.

Blood-feeding parasite; larvae take a small blood meal from a host.

Larvae have six legs; nymphs and adults have eight. This image is too small to confirm a tick or determine the species.

Ticks can transmit disease, but identification from this photo is uncertain. If attached, remove with fine-tipped tweezers and monitor the bite.