![]() ![]() This enables a nymph to potentially stay attached longer to the host it is feeding on. Due to the smaller size of the nymphal stage ticks, approximately 2 mm, they are more likely to go unnoticed when attached to a human. In order for a human to be infected by the bacterium, the tick carrying it must be attached for approximately 36 to 48 hours. Nymphal ticks primarily feed on small animals and humans during the spring and early summer, while adult ticks are most active during the winter and seek out hosts from late fall to spring. The nymphal stage, and sometimes adult female ticks, are responsible for the majority of transmission events. After feeding on a host animal infected with the bacterium, the tick is then able to transmit it to other animals, including humans, through subsequent blood meals. The western black-legged tick is a vector for Lyme disease, which is caused by infection with Borrelia burgdorferi. Female adult ticks can deposit between 790 and 1,300 eggs over a period of 33–40 days. Female adults will consume blood meals from medium and large-sized mammals, and then deposit eggs in areas of leaf litter or soil. In order for the nymph to reach the adult stage, they continue to feed for 7–11 days on the blood of vertebrates. Protein from the blood meals, during the 4-10 day feeding period, enable the larvae to transform into immature nymphs after approximately 37–38 days. Larvae, which emerge from eggs after approximately 53–55 days, take blood meals from vertebrates, such as lizards and birds. It takes approximately three years for the tick to complete its life cycle. The life cycle of Ixodes pacificus consists of four life stages: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. As such, these ticks are commonly encountered in open grasslands, at the border of trails in parklands, and in areas that are able to maintain a deer population. Unlike nymphal ticks, adult western black-legged ticks prefer to climb vegetation and wait for hosts to pass by. They may be found in grasslands, woodland grass, or brush areas. Adults īoth adult females and males prefer a habitat with an abundance of short vegetation. These locations are where nymphal ticks seek out hosts. This life stage of the tick may be encountered when humans are in direct contact with logs, branches, and shed leaves. It is most common to encounter western black-legged tick nymphs in areas with large amounts of shed leaves on the ground. Nymphal stage ticks prefer a habitat consisting of dense woodlands with many leaves and areas littered with fir needles. pacificus has also been recorded in British Columbia. These include Oregon, Washington, Utah, Nevada, and Arizona. Although most prevalent in California, the tick has also been found in five other western states. Ixodes pacificus is found in the western region of the United States and in western Canada. ![]() While feeding, the adult female may engorge and expand to 9.5 mm or longer. Īn unfed adult female is around 3.18 mm in size, has a brown-black plate on the anterior back, an orange abdomen, and forward-projecting mouth-parts which enable feeding. Therefore, males of this species are unable to become engorged. Due to the presence of a scutum on the dorsal side of the male, they are unable to feed in large quantities. It is primarily found in the western region of the United States, particularly in northern California, and in western Canada.Īn adult male is around 2.54 mm in size, oval-shaped, and brownish-black in color. Description īelonging to the family Ixodidae, the western black-legged tick is considered a slow-feeding hard tick which possesses a plated body armor. They prefer dense woodland habitats or areas of brush and tall grass. These stages include egg, larva, nymph, and adult. pacificus has a four stage life cycle that takes around 3 years to complete. It can have a heteroxenous lifestyle or monoxenous life cycle depending on how many hosts it feeds on in each cycle. ![]() It is an ectoparasite that attaches itself to the outside of its host and feeds on the host's blood. pacificus typically feeds on lizards and small mammals therefore its rate of transmission of Lyme disease to humans is around 1% of adults. It is the principal vector of Lyme disease in that region. pacificus is a member of the family Ixodidae (hard ticks). Ixodes pacificus, the western black-legged tick, is a species of parasitic tick found on the western coast of North America. ![]()
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