Seed Ticks
The life cycle of a tick is composed of four stages: egg, larval, nymphal and adult. Tick larvae are also commonly referred to as seed ticks. They hatch from the eggs of an adult female tick within 19 to 60 days and are very tiny. As such, they are rarely noticeable unless found in large groups. Seed ticks resemble poppy seeds with six legs.
After hatching, seed ticks immediately seek a host. They will feed on the first host they find and become bluish in color after a meal. In some species, seed ticks will join legs and adhere to a host en masse.
Seed ticks remain attached to their hosts for three to six days before dropping. In some cases, a tick will reattach itself to the same host after entering the nymphal stage. Some tick species, such as the winter tick, remain attached to one host throughout their lives.
Seed ticks sometimes die if they cannot locate a suitable host. However, seed ticks are capable of surviving for long periods of time without a meal.
Characteristics of Black-Legged Ticks