Order Acarida

Ticks and Mites

Home Class Arachnida

Size: Microscopic to 3 cm when well fed Antennae: Not present
Diet: Plants, blood, and living organisms Mouthparts: Chelicerae
Habitat: Fresh water, salt water, soil, on other organisms Legs: Four pairs
Morphology: Young acaridans (nymphs) appear similar to adults, but have only three pairs of legs; the fourth pair is obtained during their first molt Front Wings: Not present
Segmentation: Have 2 segments, cephalothorax and abdomen, which are fused and appear to be only one segment Hind Wings: Not present
Distinctive Characteristics and Behaviors:

          The only way to differentiate between ticks and mites is by size: ticks are larger than mites.  Large numbers of these organisms are endoparasites and ectoparasites, though others eat vegetation or hunt for food.    

 

 

 

 

                                   

Kickapoo IL, 9-29-02, R. Sandretto

Kickapoo IL, 9-29-02, R. Sandretto

 

 

 

 

 

Urbana IL, 9-19-02, R. Sandretto

Urbana IL, 9-19-02, R. Sandretto