These images demonstrate the differences between important hard ticks in the United States and basic hard tick anatomy.
- Mouthparts are long
- Scutum (dorsal shield) is unremarkable, lacking adornment
- No festoons
- No eyes
- Inverted U-shaped anal groove
- Dermacentor
- Ornate scutum in adult
- Mouthparts are short
- Eyes present
- Festoons present
- Amblyomma
- Mouthparts are long
- Festoons present
- Eyes present
- Ornate scutum in adult
- Round body shape
Take time to note the differences in size and review the general anatomy of a hard tick. These body parts may be noted as distinguishing features when using the atlases and other reference photographs.
7. CDC. Life Series Illustration: ticks. CDC public domain. [Image Retired]
8. CDC. Image#6038. (1976). "This illustration depicts two views of a female Ixodid hard tick, a dorsal view on the left, and a ventral view on the right. The dorsal view reveals the presence of a small, hard scutum, while the ventral view shows how the tick’s capitulum is located at the anterior end of the body, and their spiracular plates lie posterior to their fourth pair of legs." PHIL public domain. https://phil.cdc.gov/Details.aspx?pid=6038
