Difference between revisions of "Hard Ticks - UK"

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[[Image:Ixodes ricinus.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Ixodes ricinus'' - Richard Bartz, Wikimedia Commons]]
 
[[Image:Ixodes ricinus.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Ixodes ricinus'' - Richard Bartz, Wikimedia Commons]]
 
===Ixodes ricinus===
 
===Ixodes ricinus===
This is a common hard tick found in the UK. As with most hard ticks ''Ixodes ricinus'' is a 3 host tick as well as a 3 stage life cycle. The ticks spend the mojority of their life on the ground, only requiring a blood meal prior to moulting to the next stage.  
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This is a common hard tick found in the UK. As with most hard ticks ''Ixodes ricinus'' is a 3 host tick as well as a 3 stage life cycle. The ticks spend the mojority of their life on the ground, only requiring a blood meal prior to moulting to the next stage. The ''Ixodes ricinus'' life cycle normally takes 3 year but can range from 2 - 7 years in some cases, during this life cycle the tick will normally feed 3 times. After becoming adult the female will mate once whilst on the host before being shed to the ground. The female will lay several thousand eggs in matted vegetation such as rough pasture and hedgerows, following this she will die.  
*3 host tick
 
*Life cycle takes an average of 3 years to complete (range of 2-7 years)
 
*Only feed for a few days each year at each life cycle stage
 
*Most of their time is spent on the ground
 
*Adult female lays several thousand eggs on the ground in matted vegetation
 
**E.g. Rough pasture, hedgerows etc.
 
  
''Ixodes canisuga''
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===Ixodes canisuga===
 
*Host specific dog tick
 
*Host specific dog tick
 
*Problem in kennels
 
*Problem in kennels
  
''Ixodes hexagonus''
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===Ixodes hexagonus===
 
*Known as the hedgehog tick
 
*Known as the hedgehog tick
 
*Affects hedgehogs, dogs, cats, ferrets and weasels
 
*Affects hedgehogs, dogs, cats, ferrets and weasels
 
*Common in small animal practice
 
*Common in small animal practice
  
''Haemaphysalis spp.''
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===Haemaphysalis spp.===
 
*Affects cattle
 
*Affects cattle
 
*Transmits ''Babesia major'', a relatively non-pathogenic protozoan parasite
 
*Transmits ''Babesia major'', a relatively non-pathogenic protozoan parasite
 
*Uncommon
 
*Uncommon
  
''Dermacentor spp.''
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===Dermacentor spp.===
 
*Affects sheep
 
*Affects sheep
*Rare[[Category:Ticks]]
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*Rare
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[[Category:Ticks]]
 
[[Category:To_Do_-_NickJ]]
 
[[Category:To_Do_-_NickJ]]

Revision as of 10:50, 7 July 2010

Ixodes ricinus - Richard Bartz, Wikimedia Commons

Ixodes ricinus

This is a common hard tick found in the UK. As with most hard ticks Ixodes ricinus is a 3 host tick as well as a 3 stage life cycle. The ticks spend the mojority of their life on the ground, only requiring a blood meal prior to moulting to the next stage. The Ixodes ricinus life cycle normally takes 3 year but can range from 2 - 7 years in some cases, during this life cycle the tick will normally feed 3 times. After becoming adult the female will mate once whilst on the host before being shed to the ground. The female will lay several thousand eggs in matted vegetation such as rough pasture and hedgerows, following this she will die.

Ixodes canisuga

  • Host specific dog tick
  • Problem in kennels

Ixodes hexagonus

  • Known as the hedgehog tick
  • Affects hedgehogs, dogs, cats, ferrets and weasels
  • Common in small animal practice

Haemaphysalis spp.

  • Affects cattle
  • Transmits Babesia major, a relatively non-pathogenic protozoan parasite
  • Uncommon

Dermacentor spp.

  • Affects sheep
  • Rare