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.