What are the stages in a tick's life cycle?

The correct answer, which outlines the life stages of a tick, accurately identifies the developmental process that ticks undergo. Ticks experience four main stages in their life cycle: starting as an egg, followed by a larvae stage, then a nymph stage, and finally maturing into an adult.

Beginning with the egg, ticks typically lay their eggs on the ground, and it is from these eggs that larvae hatch. The larvae are very small and generally require a blood meal to progress to the next stage. After feeding, they molt into nymphs, which are also blood-sucking and must feed again for further growth. Once they have reached maturity and completed their feeding requirements, they molt into adult ticks, capable of reproducing and continuing the life cycle.

This sequence highlights the crucial reliance on a blood meal at various stages, demonstrating the ecological role of ticks as both pests and vectors for diseases. Understanding the development stages of ticks is essential for effective pest control measures and for anticipating their behavior.