Ixodidae

Characteristics / Biology of Acarina

• 8 legs (exception:  some  larval stages of mites and ticks have only 6 legs)
• Ticks have capitulum («head» with mouth parts)
• Spheric body
• With dorsal shield (Scutum)
• Capitulum dorsally visible
• Palps resemble clubs
• No coxal organs
• Incomplete metamorphosis (hemimetabole development) (larvae look the same as adults)
• Hosts: Wild animals and pets, human

• Medical significance: 

• Important vectors of virus, babesia and bacteria (rickettsia, spirochete) in human and veterinary medicine

Vectors of numerous diseases; e.g.,

• spotted fever
• Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi)
• tick-borne encephalitis (TBE)
• Locale skin reactions

Lifecycle:

• A single egg laying (thousands of eggs)
• 1 nymphal stage
• One blood meal; can last for several weeks
• few hosts
• widespread distribution