tiques

Tiques, commonly referred to as ticks in English, are small arachnids belonging to the order Ixodida. They are obligate ectoparasites, attaching to vertebrate hosts to obtain blood. Ticks are important as vectors of infectious diseases affecting humans and animals. The two major families are hard ticks (Ixodidae) and soft ticks (Argasidae).

Life cycle and feeding: Most ticks go through four life stages: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. Each stage typically requires a blood meal to progress. Ticks often wait on vegetation in a behavior known as questing, using their legs to latch onto passing hosts.

Disease transmission: Ticks can carry and transmit various pathogens, including bacteria, protozoa, and viruses. Lyme disease, transmitted by Borrelia burgdorferi–carrying species, is among the most well-known. Other diseases include anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and tick-borne encephalitis. Transmission generally requires the tick to be attached for a period of time, often 24 to 72 hours, depending on the pathogen and tick species.

Distribution and ecology: Ticks are found worldwide, with greatest diversity in temperate and tropical regions. They thrive in wooded, grassy, or brushy environments. Their populations are influenced by temperature, humidity, host availability, and animal hosts. Climate change can expand their range and activity.

Prevention and control: Prevention includes avoiding tick habitats when possible, using repellents containing DEET or permethrin-treated clothing, performing thorough body checks after outdoor activities, and promptly removing attached ticks with fine-tipped tweezers. In areas with high disease risk, monitoring with medical guidance is advised if symptoms develop after a bite.

Identification and taxonomy: Hard ticks (Ixodidae) have a hard dorsal scutum and typically feed longer, while soft ticks (Argasidae) have a more flexible body and feed more quickly. Distinctive features vary by species.