What is a defining physical feature of an unfed adult female American Dog Tick?
Answer
Silvery white markings present on her scutum
When an adult female American Dog Tick is unfed, its appearance provides specific identifying characteristics. The tick generally presents as dark brown to black and measures approximately $1/8$ inch in length. The most distinguishing feature noted for the female is the presence of silvery white markings located specifically on the scutum, which is the dorsal shield covering the front portion of her body. This contrasts with the male, which has irregular white markings scattered across a similar dark background.
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