A cyber-tick is a very small Cybertronian lifeform.

History

Transformers: Robots in Disguise

"True Colors"

Among the prisoners on the Alchemor was a cyber-tick named Minitron who was able to control other bots by biting them. He did so with Grimlock, using the large Dinobot to steal Underbite's stasis pod for Steeljaw.