BAT TICK (Ornithodoros kelleyi)
Biology
- Mostly a parasite of bats
- Found widely across the United States
- The Bat Tick is a soft tick.
- The mouthparts are ventrally located and are covered by the front margin of the body so they are not visible from above.
- Bodies lack a scutum and the skin appears wrinkled and leather-like.
- They feed periodically during all life stages.
Distribution/Habits
- Usually do not wander far from their host, bats.
- Bat ticks feed on bats, but will feed on other animals.
- The Bat tick is not known to transmit any human diseases.
- The bite is only considered a nuisance.
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