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WOOD TICK BROWN DOG TICK WOOD TICK BROWN DOG TICK

Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR
1.Antenna- none 5.Wings- none TICK 1.Antenna- none 5.Wings- none TICK
2.Eyes- on dorsal shield 6.Thorax- none (unibody) 8 2.Eyes- on dorsal shield 6.Thorax- none (unibody) 8
3.Head-protruding mouth parts, 7.Petiole- none 4 3.Head-protruding mouth parts, 7.Petiole- none 4
anteriorly, capitulum 8.Abdomen- wide, oval, can swell anteriorly, capitulum 8.Abdomen- wide, oval, can swell
4.Legs- adult has 8 9.Color- whitish to black 4.Legs- adult has 8 9.Color- whitish to black
10.Other- vector of diseases 10.Other- vector of diseases
Life Cycle Life Cycle
Females drop to the ground after feeding, and it is there that they lay their eggs. The Females drop to the ground after feeding, and it is there that they lay their eggs. The
eggs take from several days to weeks to hatch. In the different tick varieties, between eggs take from several days to weeks to hatch. In the different tick varieties, between
1000-5000 eggs can be produced in one season. After the larvae hatch, they look for a 1000-5000 eggs can be produced in one season. After the larvae hatch, they look for a
suitable host, and eventually develop into nymphs. They can live for long periods before suitable host, and eventually develop into nymphs. They can live for long periods before
finding their suitable host. The nymphs also feed upon blood, and can also survive long 3 finding their suitable host. The nymphs also feed upon blood, and can also survive long 3
periods without having a host. They are known as a 3 host insect. Once they feed three periods without having a host. They are known as a 3 host insect. Once they feed three
times, they molt and develop into adult ticks which are capable of reproducing. Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR times, they molt and develop into adult ticks which are capable of reproducing. Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR

HARD TICKS Actual size 1/4” HARD TICKS Actual size 1/4”
The major tick problems in Arizona are caused by Hard ticks—the Brown Dog tick and the Rocky Moun- The major tick problems in Arizona are caused by Hard ticks—the Brown Dog tick and the Rocky Moun-
tain Wood tick. There is also a soft tick, the Adobe tick, which is common. Ticks have sucking mouth- tain Wood tick. There is also a soft tick, the Adobe tick, which is common. Ticks have sucking mouth-
parts and require blood meals to complete their life cycle. Some ticks can be a serious problem for parts and require blood meals to complete their life cycle. Some ticks can be a serious problem for
humans, so take precautions when walking in tick infested areas. humans, so take precautions when walking in tick infested areas.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN WOOD TICK ROCKY MOUNTAIN WOOD TICK
The Rocky Mountain Wood Tick is found in the northern third of the state, mainly in wooded and brushy The Rocky Mountain Wood Tick is found in the northern third of the state, mainly in wooded and brushy
areas. It can produce a toxin that can cause paralysis in mammals, and even on rare occasions can be areas. It can produce a toxin that can cause paralysis in mammals, and even on rare occasions can be
fatal to humans. It can also transmit Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever to humans, although none of these fatal to humans. It can also transmit Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever to humans, although none of these
problems have been observed in Arizona. Symptoms usually do not show up until the tick has been problems have been observed in Arizona. Symptoms usually do not show up until the tick has been
feeding upon the host for five days. feeding upon the host for five days.
1.Antenna- none 5.Wings- none BROWN DOG TICK 1.Antenna- none 5.Wings- none BROWN DOG TICK
2.Eyes- on dorsal shield 6.Thorax- none (unibody) 4 2.Eyes- on dorsal shield 6.Thorax- none (unibody) 4
3.Head-protruding mouth parts, 7.Petiole- none 3.Head-protruding mouth parts, 7.Petiole- none
anteriorly, capitulum 8.Abdomen- wide, oval, can swell anteriorly, capitulum 8.Abdomen- wide, oval, can swell
4.Legs- adult has 8 9.Color- whitish to black 8 4.Legs- adult has 8 9.Color- whitish to black 8
10.Other- vector of diseases 10.Other- vector of diseases
Life Cycle Life Cycle
An adult Brown Dog Tick will feed upon the host for about a week, then drop off and find a place An adult Brown Dog Tick will feed upon the host for about a week, then drop off and find a place
to lay eggs. The female can lay up to 5,000 eggs over a period of up to two weeks, and their to lay eggs. The female can lay up to 5,000 eggs over a period of up to two weeks, and their
development is widely dependent upon temperature. They can tolerate a wide variety of condi- development is widely dependent upon temperature. They can tolerate a wide variety of condi-
tions as they develop. The adult female then dies after finishing laying the eggs. Newly hatched 3 tions as they develop. The adult female then dies after finishing laying the eggs. Newly hatched 3
ticks require a blood meal between each stage of development— larva, nymph, and adult. At ticks require a blood meal between each stage of development— larva, nymph, and adult. At
each stage the tick is getting larger in size. The cycle can be completed in around two months in each stage the tick is getting larger in size. The cycle can be completed in around two months in
warmer weather, but each stage can be as much as five months long. Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR warmer weather, but each stage can be as much as five months long. Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR

BROWN DOG TICK Actual size 1/8” BROWN DOG TICK Actual size 1/8”
The Brown Dog Tick is the most prevalent tick in Arizona. It is commonly found in yards, ken- The Brown Dog Tick is the most prevalent tick in Arizona. It is commonly found in yards, ken-
nels, and in homes—in fact, it can complete the whole life cycle while living indoors. While this nels, and in homes—in fact, it can complete the whole life cycle while living indoors. While this
tick can rapidly multiply into a huge problem, it has not been found to carry or transmit any hu- tick can rapidly multiply into a huge problem, it has not been found to carry or transmit any hu-
man diseases. The Brown Dog Tick is rather small, about 1/8th inch in size, and reddish-brown man diseases. The Brown Dog Tick is rather small, about 1/8th inch in size, and reddish-brown
in color. It can swell up to a half inch in size when engorged after feeding. As the name sug- in color. It can swell up to a half inch in size when engorged after feeding. As the name sug-
gests, the tick’s main host is dogs, but it can in rarer cases affect humans and other mammals. gests, the tick’s main host is dogs, but it can in rarer cases affect humans and other mammals.

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