The Brown Dog Tick
Rhipicephalus sanguineus
The Brown tick have a higher survival rate in cooler temperatures and higher humidity, but is most commonly found in Florida. Dogs are the preferred host, which causes Brown Dog Ticks to be carried indoors.
An adult female feeds on its host for a week, usually a dog, then leaves host to find a place for egg development. A female can lay up to 5000 eggs (if fully fed). The larvae hatch 2-5 weeks after she lay eggs. Larvae immediately look for a host. The nymphs then feed for five to 10 days and again take about two weeks to develop into adults. The cycle can be completed in two month, but the Brown Dog Tick can live as long as three to five months in each stage without feeding.
The Brown Dog tick is red-brown in color, with no ornamentation. The adult male is a darker red, and once fed the female’s exterior is grey. It has an elongated body and hexagonal basis capituli. The males are smaller than females and feed for a shorter period of time. Larva have 6 legs, whereas adults and nymphs have 8 legs.
Rhipicephalus sanguineus
The Brown tick have a higher survival rate in cooler temperatures and higher humidity, but is most commonly found in Florida. Dogs are the preferred host, which causes Brown Dog Ticks to be carried indoors.
An adult female feeds on its host for a week, usually a dog, then leaves host to find a place for egg development. A female can lay up to 5000 eggs (if fully fed). The larvae hatch 2-5 weeks after she lay eggs. Larvae immediately look for a host. The nymphs then feed for five to 10 days and again take about two weeks to develop into adults. The cycle can be completed in two month, but the Brown Dog Tick can live as long as three to five months in each stage without feeding.
The Brown Dog tick is red-brown in color, with no ornamentation. The adult male is a darker red, and once fed the female’s exterior is grey. It has an elongated body and hexagonal basis capituli. The males are smaller than females and feed for a shorter period of time. Larva have 6 legs, whereas adults and nymphs have 8 legs.