The Paralysis Tick of Australia

LARVAL STAGES of the paralysis tick Ixodes holocyclus, the cattle tick Boophilus microplus and the bush tick Haemaphysalis longicornis

The following ticks are shown at successive stages of engorgement

All larval ticks are readily distinguished from nymphs and adults in having only 6 legs instead of eight.

These ticks require a microscope to be accurately identified as their bodies are less than 1.5 mm long even at maximum engorgement, ie they look like pin-head dots. See also relative sizes.

common tick larvae
paralysis tick Ixodes holocyclus	bush tick Haemaphysalis longicornis	cattle tick Boophilus microplus
capitulum very long body pale grey to very dark blue-grey	capitulum short and wider at base body brown to dark blue-grey	capitulum short and straight body brown to cream