When an unfed wood tick is questing, where are its short mouthparts often visible from above?
Answer
Sticking out in front of the body
A critical feature for identifying hard ticks like the wood tick relates to its feeding apparatus, known as the capitulum. The *Dermacentor andersoni* is characterized by having short mouthparts. When the tick is in its unfed, questing state, these mouthparts are situated such that they project forward and are frequently visible when viewed from above, protruding in front of the main body mass. This visibility contrasts with ticks possessing longer mouthparts, where the structure might be obscured or elongated differently when viewed dorsally.
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*)?