![]() The immature stages of this species feed on rodents and other small mammals. After feeding, the female is much larger (~5/8 of an inch long) and mostly gray.īiology: American dog ticks prefer grassy areas along roads and paths, particularly next to woody or shrubby habitats. The adult American dog tick is the largest tick in Ohio at approximately 3/16 of an inch (unfed females, fed, and unfed males). Immatures are very small and rarely observed. Identification: Adults typically are brownish with light grey mottling on the scutum. The American dog tick is the most commonly encountered species throughout Ohio. ![]() Photo by Jeffery Alfred, used with permission from Iowa State University Extension. From left to right: male, unfed female, and engorged female. Important Tick Species in Ohio American Dog Tick (Dermacentor variabilis)įigure 2. Adult female ticks greatly increase in size during feeding but adult males do not. Nymphs become engorged, but they are much smaller than the adults. Most species feed on a different type of host during the adult stage, with larvae and nymphs preferring smaller hosts. Ticks must consume blood at every stage to develop. Adult ticks often have distinct characteristics and markings, but immature stages (larvae and nymphs) are entirely tan or brown and difficult to identify to species. Ticks have a life cycle that includes the egg and three stages: six-legged larva, eight-legged nymph, and eight-legged adult. In Ohio, soft ticks are not pests of humans. The scutum covers almost the entire upper surface of the adult male whereas it covers only the front portion of the female. They are called hard ticks because they possess a scutum (hard plate) on their upper surface just behind the mouthparts (see Figure 1). ![]() Many of the species in Ohio, including the three of medical importance and the brown dog tick, are hard ticks. Other tick species are rarely encountered in Ohio. This fact sheet provides information on these four species. The brown dog tick, although uncommon, is the only tick that can become established indoors in homes with dogs and kennels. Three tick species in Ohio are medically important because they are disease vectors: the American dog tick, the blacklegged tick (commonly called the deer tick), and the lone star tick. The scutum is outlined in yellow on the upper surface of an adult male and female hard tick. Proper protection from ticks and prompt removal are crucial to preventing infection.įigure 1. Most importantly, some species of ticks may infect the host with any of several different diseases, which can result in mild to serious illness or death. Ticks are blood-feeding parasites that can significantly impact the quality of life and health of humans and pets.
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