Distinguishing Male versus Female Adult Paralysis Ticks

Note the size of the scutum and the length of the capitulum

images from AG dex 662, The Board of Tick Control NSW Agriculture 1993

scutum: the dorsal sclerotised plate ("shield", or "shell") covering the anterior part of the body in female ixodid ticks and the entire dorsal surface in males.

capitulum: The moveable anterior extension of the body ("snout", or "mouthparts")which includes the palps, chelicerae, hypostome and basis capituli. The term "head" doesn't really apply to ticks. See identification for a close up diagram of these structures

 

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