Electron microscope images

Sheep tick - Ixodes ricinus

Comparing "mouthparts"
 

Click here for: larva, nymph, male, female, mating ticks and comparing mouthparts photographs

These photos were taken on the JEOL 5600LVSEM scanning electron microscope at the University of Plymouth Electron Microscopy Centre on 10th August 2009.
 

Larva - dorsal view of the capitulum, chelicerae extended	Larva - ventral view of the capitulum, chelicerae extended
Nymph - dorsal view of the capitulum, chelicerae at sides, behind hypostome tip	Nymph - ventral view of the hypostome, chelicerae not visible
Male - dorsal view of the capitulum, showing the smooth surface of the hypostome, pedipalps and rudimentary porose areas?	Male - ventral view of capitulum, with hypostome and chelicerae laterally (different form to female)
Female - dorsal view - showing capitulum with central hypostome, chelicerae at the sides, largely obscured by the pedipalps. Female has pronounced porose areas for applying glue to eggs	Female - ventral view of female capitulum, note chelicerae largely obscured at sides of hypostome

Acknowledgement: My thanks to the staff of the University of Plymouth Electron Microscopy Centre, Dr Roy Moate, Peter Bond and Glenn Harper, for enabling me to take these photographs.

All tick visitors counted by StatCounter