Nest-dwelling
Guides
Argasidae
soft ticks, soft-backed ticks, argasid ticks
Argasidae, commonly known as soft ticks, is one of three extant families of ticks (Ixodida), alongside Ixodidae (hard ticks) and the monotypic Nuttalliellidae. The family contains approximately 220 species in 17 genera, though taxonomic composition remains unresolved due to conflicting morphological and molecular phylogenies. Soft ticks are distinguished from hard ticks by the absence of a hard scutum (dorsal shield), a ventrally positioned gnathosoma (mouthparts-bearing structure) that is not visible from above, and rounded lateral body edges. They exhibit remarkable physiological adaptations including extreme desiccation resistance, longevity (documented up to 27 years in laboratory conditions), and the ability to survive years without feeding. Soft ticks are primarily associated with shelter habitats such as animal burrows, nests, and rock crevices, and are less commonly encountered by humans than hard ticks.
Hesperocimex
Hesperocimex is a genus of bed bugs (family Cimicidae) containing at least two described species: H. coloradensis and H. sonorensis. Members of this genus are ectoparasites of birds, specifically associated with nest-dwelling species. H. sonorensis has been documented parasitizing purple martins, woodpeckers, swallows, and Ferruginous Pygmy-Owls.
Niditinea
Niditinea is a genus of small moths in the family Tineidae, subfamily Tineinae. The genus contains 12-13 described species distributed across the Northern Hemisphere. Several species have been documented using bird nests as larval habitats, particularly in North America. The genus was established by Petersen in 1957.