Pigeon Tick
Argas reflexus
Appearance
- Soft-bodied tick approximately 4mm in length.
- The skin appears wrinkled and leather–like due to soft bodies lacking a scutum (a hard thickened plate).
- Pigeon tick mouthparts are ventrally located and are covered by the front margin of the body so they are not visible from above.
Lifecycle
- Pigeons are the principal host but other bird species may also be fed upon. Humans may also be bitten if the ticks are introduced into their environment.
- Pigeon tick females feed in intervals, thereby increasing their body weight threefold, then lay globular, dark brown shiny eggs in batches of 20 – 50.
- Adults and nymphs feed for up to 12 hours, while the larvae feed on the hosts for six to eleven days.
Habits
- Pigeon ticks are commonly found in attics and rooms adjacent to areas where pigeons roost.
- Heavy infestations of these ticks have been known to cause the death of the host pigeon.
- The ticks hide by day and feed at night.