The scutum of the tick, Ixodes ricinus L.

Abstract

It is a common observation that in individual Ixodes ricinus L. ticks, size variations occur; such variation is reflected in the records of early workers (Wheler, 1899; Neumann, 1899: quoted by Nuttall, Warburton, Cooper & Robinson, 1911). The present paper attempts to examine the true specific importance of size variation by basing the study on measurements of the relatively inelastic scuta after the principle of using head capsule measurements for insectan larval instars.