One of the carriers of dangerous viruses are ticks. The word comes from the Latin name of this squad of the class Arachnid Acari.

With all the diversity of these creatures, they are divided into feeding methods by predators sucking the blood of a person or a mammal, saprophages, who prefer carrion and decaying organisms, and saprophytes, which need dead materials.

Types and general structure of ticks

In appearance, all ticks are divided into two types. The first have a strong carapace (hard protective shields). These are the so-called ixodid ticks (from the Latin Ixodidae). It is among them that most parasites can be found. In particular, the most famous are the taiga and dog species. A small, up to five millimeters, whole or as if divided into two parts body, four pairs of legs ending in claws or suckers, a head ending in a mouth opening, from zero to five eyes - this is the general structure of the body of these representatives of nature.

Depending on the habitat and distribution, gnawing individuals can be found (their mouth opening is equipped with mouth appendages of ticks - chelicera) or stitching-sucking (instead of chelicera, paired stilettos are formed, forming a proboscis, at the end of which struts are located).

The second was dubbed Argasov, that is, soft, not having shields. Their Latin name is Argasidae.Often their heads are located under the body, which when viewed from above does not allow them to be seen.

Life span, tick life cycle

Some ticks live for several days; for others, weeks pass from birth to death. But there are centenarians. Their tenure on the earth is counted for years. These species include ixodid ticks.

Breeding

Regardless of the duration, the life cycle of all such animals is the same: the female lays eggs, which eventually transform into larvae. The latter, after a certain period, turn into nymphs - semi-adult individuals that do not have the ability to reproduce, having three pairs of legs. After passing through three stages (protonymph, deutonymph and tritonimph), they turn into adult ticks (adults). Males die over time, females lay eggs. The cycle repeats.

There are varieties whose females do not need males (the so-called parthenogenetic method of reproduction). Their cells begin to divide under the influence of certain environmental factors. Other species breed in the usual way. In some species of ticks, females do not survive until the appearance of larvae, which, having been born, independently bite their way out of the womb of the mother.

Why are ticks dangerous to humans?

Not all ticks harm a person or his activities. Many saprophytes are quite safe. However, a huge number of predators, parasites, saprophages can provoke various unpleasant situations.Especially it is worthwhile to be wary of those varieties that cause certain diseases.

Dust mites can cause allergies due to the release of a special substance, which, getting on the skin of a person, initially creates itching and burning. Among ixodid ticks, taiga and dog species are especially dangerous. The taiga species is common in the eastern part of Eurasia, in the countries of Asia and some countries of Europe. The canine, or forest, type of individuals can be found more in the middle lane and central regions of Russia and many northwestern European countries.

Both species are dangerous in that they are carriers of pathogens of diseases such as encephalitis, borreliosis, Lyme disease, which gradually affect all vital systems of the human body, accompanied by aches, fatigue, weakening of the musculoskeletal and respiratory functions, fever, gradually leading to death . Doctors are not always able to immediately correctly diagnose when such symptoms appear. However, the late detection of the disease makes it virtually incurable.

Subcutaneous (hair, acne) look. Inhabits the sebaceous glands of the hair follicles of animals and humans. It can provoke a skin disease of the front part - demodecosis. Scabies mites are microscopic subcutaneous inhabitants that cause itching and burning in places of their bites. Avian, rat varieties of ticks can lead to infectious diseases such as typhoid. Spider mites harm human agricultural activities.

Scientists around the world continue to study these creatures, constantly updating their classification and clarifying their impact on the spheres of human activity.