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Life cycle of the American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis (Say). Photograph by Center for Disease Control. After five to 14 days of blood feeding, a fully engorged female D. variabilis drops from the host. She digests the blood meal and develops her egg clutch over the next four to 10 days.
Oct 26, 2021 · Ticks range from 1mm to 5 or 6 mm depending on the species, age, and if they have had a blood meal recently or not. The larger and rounder that the tick is, the more likely it is engorged. They can be black, brown, green, or white in color.
American Dog Ticks are carriers of the bacteria that causes Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, a serious tick-borne illness with a mortality rate of over 20% if not treated early. Symptoms include high fever, chills, muscle aches, headaches, and sometimes a rash spread across the extremities 2-4 days after the fever begins.
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Size: 3/16” (5 mm) unengorged, 5/8” (15 mm) engorged. Legs: Larvae have 6 legs, nymphs and adults have 8 legs. Antennae: No. Shape: Oval, flattened. Region: Found throughout the U.S., except the Rocky Mountains area. What is an American Dog Tick?
Adult American dog ticks are reddish brown in color with white markings on the back or upper body. They are about 1/4 of an inch long. Female ticks increase dramatically in size as they obtain their blood meal from a host animal. Fully engorged females may reach 1/2 inch in length and resemble a dark pinto bean. Male ticks do not change in size ...
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Dermacentor variabilis, also known as the American dog tick or wood tick, is a species of tick that is known to carry bacteria responsible for several diseases in humans, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia (Francisella tularensis). It is one of the best-known hard ticks.
American Dog Tick. The American dog tick feeds on a wide variety of hosts, including humans and dogs, but rarely infests homes. Adults are chestnut brown with white spots or streaks on their backs. Engorged females become slate gray and may expand to a length of 1/2” (10-12 mm).
