How not to kill a tick.

[specious_reasons]

My attempts at improving a picture of this tick:


were cut short by the fact that submerging it in 50% alcohol for 3 hours was insufficient to kill/incapacitate it.

The focus stack I created had the following problems:
- too much reflection - I didn't use a diffused light source.
- The steps were probably too large (I was trying to go quickly because the tick was still moving on me.)
- Even though I was going as quickly as possible, the tick still moved.
- I covered the tick with a slide, not a slide cover (Probably the least of my problems.)

I was able to use about half the stack to get this:

[curt0909]

I'm surprised he survived that. Next time try 5 minutes in the freezer.

[specious_reasons]

I'm surprised he survived that. Next time try 5 minutes in the freezer.

I thought of that - after the purging flames.

This tick was definitely impaired, but not dead. It was pretty consistently covered in bubbles, so I think it never went entirely lacking in oxygen. It was also pretty bloated, so I doubt the alcohol was absorbed as deeply as I'd have liked.

[rjlittlefield]

Nice capture of the chelicerae -- the cutting parts on the end of the snout.

Very hot water is also a standard method of killing non-hairy critters. I'm not sure how durable ticks are to freezing, but cooking will definitely do them in.

--Rik

[specious_reasons]

Nice capture of the chelicerae -- the cutting parts on the end of the snout.

Very hot water is also a standard method of killing non-hairy critters. I'm not sure how durable ticks are to freezing, but cooking will definitely do them in.

--Rik

Thanks on both. There's always value in a picture, even if I'm not very satisfied with the results. I'm hoping I don't have the opportunity to observe a tick any time soon.

[Mitch640]

I know a guy who has been pickled in alcohol for over 40 years and he's still moving.

But a bug? hardy beasts.