The cycle of development of Ixodes ricinus takes two to three years. During this time, three different stages ofdevelopment occur, which each are parasites of different hosts (Three-host-tick). Starting in autum after falling off their hosts the adult femal ticks lay their eggs in the ground and then die. In spring of the following year the larvae hatch from the eggs. Their hosts are usally small mammals. After falling from their hosts sevaral castings of the skin take place until they reach the stage of the nymph. The hosts of the nymphs are larger mammals. They pass the winter in the ground. In the following spring the nymphs cast their skin and become adult ticks which seek their hosts to blood. The copulation of the female ticks take place while they are on their hosts.
Due to changing climatic circumstances (humidity, temperature) the cycle of development can last longer or shorter, so that very often different stage of development are found at the same time.
Peaople can function as hosts of all different stages of development.

• The eggs:They are deposited in the
  ground underneath plants and bushes
  after the copulation of the female
  tick (fall)

• The larvae: They go to several
  castings of the skin (spring and summer).
  Frequent hosts are small mammals
  ( mice, rats ) and reptils

• The nymph: They develop in fall and
  pass the winter in the ground.Frequent
  hosts are small and medium sized
  vertebrates ( squirrel, rabbit, birds )

• The adult female tick: They develop
  in spring after the nymph cast its skin.
  Frequent hosts are larger vertebrates
  ( deer, people)

Back to "biology of ticks"