How large can an engorged female *Dermacentor andersoni* expand to significantly?
Answer
Roughly one-half inch
The feeding process dramatically alters the physical presentation of the female wood tick. After successfully attaching to a host and ingesting a large volume of blood, the female's body swells substantially. This expansion allows the tick to store the necessary blood mass required to support the development of its eggs. The resulting size can reach approximately one-half inch, a stark contrast to its unfed measurement.
Related Questions
What is the approximate length of an unfed adult wood tick in inches?How large can an engorged female *Dermacentor andersoni* expand to significantly?How many legs does the larval stage, scientifically known as the Seed Tick, possess?What leg count characterizes both the Nymph and Adult stages of the wood tick?What coloration marks distinguish the female *Dermacentor andersoni* scutum?How do the white markings on the male *Dermacentor andersoni* dorsal surface compare to the female?When an unfed wood tick is questing, where are its short mouthparts often visible from above?What shape and color does an engorged female wood tick develop into after feeding?What hardened plate structure on the tick’s back bears the primary color patterns?Which related species shares strong physical similarities with the Rocky Mountain Wood Tick (*Dermacentor andersoni*)?