![]() The body (idiosoma) of ticks is typically not hardened to a great extent. In addition, many ticks secrete “cement” from the salivary glands around the bite site, which functionally glues the mouthparts to the host. Small rows of backward-facing spines (denticles) on the outside of the hypostome help anchor the tick in the host skin tissues. The hypostome is the attachment organ, and the opening to the digestive tract is found on the tip of the hypostome. They cut by inserting the chelicerae into the skin then pushing them outward from the midline to open a hole that allows the hypostome to be inserted. The chelicerae are cutting organs whose cutting surfaces face outward. The palps are leglike structures that do not penetrate host skin but are sensory in function. These structures function together and allow ticks to penetrate the host skin and extract a blood meal from the tissues below (Figure 1). The mouthparts (capitulum) have three specialized structures called palps, chelicerae and a hypostome that are attached to a base called the basis capituli (Figure 1). The body of ticks includes the eyes, legs, and respiratory, digestive and reproductive structures. The mouthparts on hard ticks protrude in front of the body and are visible from above (Figure 1), but the body of soft ticks extends forward above the mouthparts so they are only visible from beneath (Figure 1). Tick morphology consists of two primary regions, the mouthparts (capitulum) and the body (idiosoma). Management consists of modifying tick habitats, minimizing host abundance and using personal protective measures such as tick removal, tick repellents and pesticide application when necessary. Management of tick populations is important to minimize the risks of tick-borne disease. Tick-borne diseases result when pathogens acquired from one host infect the tick and are later transmitted to a second host during blood feeding. ![]() They locate and feed on a wide variety of vertebrate hosts and will normally attack any host they encounter in the environment. All stages and both sexes require a blood meal for proper development. North America is home to all four genera of soft ticks and seven genera of hard ticks.Īll ticks have a life cycle consisting of an egg, larva, nymph and adult. The family Nuttalliellidae is very rare and consists of only a single African species. Soft ticks (Argasidae) are less diverse with just four genera worldwide. They are by far the most commonly encountered ticks feeding on humans or wild and domestic animals. The hard ticks (Ixodidae) form the largest family with 14 genera worldwide. The more than 800 species worldwide are divided into three families, the Ixodidae, Argasidae and Nuttallellidae. ![]() Ticks are arthropods that are closely related to mites and spiders. ![]() This guide provides general information about ticks, tick-borne diseases and tick management practices for important biting ticks in Missouri. They harbor and transmit various pathogens including protozoa, viruses and bacteria to humans and their companion animals. Ticks are the most important vectors of disease in domestic and wild animals throughout the world and are second only to mosquitoes as transmitters of human disease. Topics covered in the series include an introduction to scouting, weed identification and management, plant diseases, and insects of field and horticultural crops. This publication is part of a series of integrated pest management (IPM) manuals prepared by the Plant Protection Programs of the University of Missouri. ![]()
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