Dermacentor andersoni (wood tick)

 

Adult:

 

http://pathmicro.med.sc.edu/mayer/rocky-tick2.jpg

Life cycle:

 

http://pathmicro.med.sc.edu/mayer/rocky-tickcycle.gif

 

Images:

Adult Dermacentor variabilis: 

http://www.k-state.edu/parasitology/625tutorials/Arthropods12.html

 

Phylogeny:                              Class Arachnida

 

Metamorphoosis:                    'Incomplete'.   Larvae and nymphs resemble adults.

 

Geographical location:            North America

 

Organs affected:                      Skin

 

Symptoms and clinical signs:  Inflammation, edema, hemorrhage, secondary bacterial infection, tick paralysis.

 

Diseases trasmitted:                American spotted fever (rickettsia), Q fever (rickettsia), Colorado tick fever (virus), Viral encephalitis, Tularemia (bacteria).

 

Treatment/control:                            Topical insecticide and use of repellants on clothing.