Black Legged Tick (Nymph)
Scientific Name: Ixodes scapularis
Order & Family: Ixodida, Ixodidae
Size: Nymphs are approximately 1-2 mm, roughly the size of a poppy seed.
Natural Habitat
Found in wooded areas, tall grass, and leaf litter; often attaches to mammals.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate blood-feeders; larvae feed on birds/rodents, while nymphs and adults feed on larger mammals.
Behavior Patterns
They are questing parasites that wait on vegetation to latch onto passing hosts. Life cycle includes egg, larva, nymph, and adult stages.
Risks & Benefits
Major vector for Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis. They provide no significant ecosystem benefit and are considered a pest.
Identified on: 12/27/2025