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For more information on ticks, see
"Tick Fact Sheet"
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The various life stages of the Paralysis tick, Ixodes holocyclus. The smallest stage, the larvae are also known as 'seed' or 'grass' ticks, while latter stages are often referred to as 'bush' ticks or 'shellbacks', but all of these terms refer to the same animal. The unengorged adult female is around 4mm long, the nymph around 2mm, while the larvae are less than 1mm. |
Male Ixodes holocyclus (left) and male Ixodes cornuatus (right). These two species have long been miss identified but are readily distinguishable when live as in this photograph. |
The mouthparts of a larval Ixodes holocyclus showing the backward pointing barbs which assist in attachment. |
An eschar on a patient with "Tick Typhus" (see "Spotted Fever Fact Sheet" for more information). |
This is a severe allergic reaction in response to the bite of a nymphal Paralysis tick, Ixodes holocyclus. The bite site is the red spot on the upper arm. In some cases, the allergic reaction can be so severe that an anaphylactic reaction may occur, which is life threatening. Deaths from allergic reactions to tick bite have occurred in recent years. |