Dorsal view of an unfed A. variegatum nymph. (A) Dissection of the scutum: dorsal view of an unfed A. variegatum nymph immersed in PBS, showing a clean incision (yellow dotted line) around the idiosoma (2.5×). (B) Removal of the scutum: dorsal view of an unfed A. variegatum nymph immersed in PBS, with the conscutum lifted using forceps (2.5×). (C) Dissection of the midgut: A. variegatum nymph with the entire gut removed and the scutum cut off (3.2×). (D) Unfed A. variegatum nymph with the salivary glands, midgut, tracheae and Malpighian tubules removed (4×). Div: diverticulum; H: heart; Mt: Malpighian tubules; Rs: rectal sac; Sac: scutum/ alloscutum/conscutum (here, in the nymph tick); Sy: synganglion; pink circle: hematin granules released after gut tear; black triangle: anal aperture.