noun
- plural of ixodid; members of the family Ixodidae, commonly known as hard ticks, which are parasitic arachnids that feed on the blood of mammals, birds, and reptiles.
Usage: technical/scientific; plural form
Examples
- Ixodids are responsible for transmitting Lyme disease to humans in North America.
- The veterinarian explained that ixodids attach firmly to their hosts and can remain embedded for days.
- Researchers studied the behavior of ixodids to develop better tick prevention methods.
- Unlike soft ticks, ixodids have a hard shield-like plate on their backs.
- Ixodids are found on every continent except Antarctica.