How many pairs of legs do seed ticks or tick larvae have?

Seed ticks, also known as tick larvae, typically have three pairs of legs. The life cycle of ticks includes several stages: egg, larva (seed tick), nymph, and adult. In the larval stage, ticks emerge with six legs, which is characteristic of larval insects. However, as they progress to the nymph and adult stages, they develop eight legs, the standard for adult arachnids.

In this context, since seed ticks specifically refer to the larval stage, they actually do not have three pairs of legs; they have just three pairs. It's a common misconception linked to their eventual adult form, where they gain the additional pairs. Understanding this developmental biology is crucial for anyone studying pest control, as knowing the life cycle stages of ticks helps in formulation of control strategies.