This is the first volume of a two-volume work on the basic biology, ecology, disease transmission and control of ticks. Ticks are parasitic insects that infect cattle, birds and people. The health and economic consequences of ticks are so considerable that most land- grant universities have tick laboratories associated with their entomology departments. In addition, state and federal health officials are concerned with disease transmission by ticks. This first volume covers the anatomy, functional morphology, physiology, reproduction, development and ecology of ticks. The descriptions are comprehensive and fully up-to-date. Entomologists, and in particular tick specialists (acarologists), as well as public health officials, will find this work of interest. It will also be extremely useful to advanced students beginning research in these fields. Volume 2 will focus on ticks and disease, with sections on immunological response to tick parasitism, and the control of ticks and disease.