Community identification
Embedded Tick (likely a Nymph or Seed Tick)
Ixodida (Order)
- Order & Family
- Order: Ixodida; Family: Ixodidae (Hard Ticks) or Argasidae (Soft Ticks)
- Size
- Unfed larvae are less than 1 mm; nymphs are 1-2 mm; adults can range from 3-5 mm unfed to over 10 mm when engorged.
Natural Habitat
Tall grasses, wooded areas, leaf litter, shrubs, and on host animals (wild and domestic).
Diet & Feeding
Hematophagous (feed exclusively on the blood of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians).
Behavior Patterns
Ticks use 'questing' behavior to find hosts, waiting on grass tips with front legs extended. They have a multi-stage life cycle (larva, nymph, adult) requiring a blood meal at each stage to molt or reproduce.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Significant vectors for diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and ehrlichiosis. Bites can cause local skin irritation or infection. Benefits: Serve as a food source for some reptiles, birds, and amphibians, though generally considered a pest to humans and pets.