Rocky mountain wood tick
Rocky Mountain Wood Tick
The Rocky Mountain Wood Tick (Dermacentor andersoni), is a species of tick that is known to be a vector for certain diseases in humans and other animals.
Pronunciation
Rocky Mountain Wood Tick: /ˈrɒki ˈmaʊntɪn wʊd tɪk/
Etymology
The term "Rocky Mountain Wood Tick" is derived from the region where this tick is commonly found, the Rocky Mountains, and its preferred habitat, wooded areas. The species name andersoni is in honor of Dr. Charles Anderson, who first identified the tick.
Description
The Rocky Mountain Wood Tick is a hard-bodied tick with a three-host life cycle, meaning it feeds on a different host during each of its life stages: larva, nymph, and adult. The adult ticks are known for their distinctive size and coloration, with females being larger and lighter in color than males.
Diseases Transmitted
The Rocky Mountain Wood Tick is known to transmit several diseases, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Tularemia, and Colorado tick fever. These diseases can cause a range of symptoms in humans, from mild to severe, and can be fatal if not treated promptly.
Prevention and Control
Prevention of tick bites is the most effective way to avoid diseases transmitted by the Rocky Mountain Wood Tick. This can be achieved through the use of insect repellents, wearing long sleeves and pants when in tick-infested areas, and performing regular tick checks after being outdoors. Control measures include habitat modification and the use of acaricides.
Related Terms
- Tick: A small arachnid that is a parasite on mammals and birds, and sometimes reptiles and amphibians.
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever: A bacterial disease spread through the bite of an infected tick.
- Tularemia: A highly infectious and lethal disease caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis.
- Colorado tick fever: A viral infection transmitted by the bite of an infected Rocky Mountain wood tick.
This WikiMD.org article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.