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Why does the tick scutum look different in males and females?
The hard dorsal shield generally covers more of an adult male tick than an adult female, whose body must expand during feeding.
Reviewed by VuxLore® Knowledge Team For People
Short answer
At a glance
Key takeaways
A useful structural difference
The male hard tick in this diagram has a scutum covering most of its dorsal surface. The female has a smaller scutum, allowing the body behind it to enlarge during a blood meal.