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{{Taxobox

{{Taxobox

|name              =''Rhipicephalus spp.''

|name              =''Rhipicephalus spp.''

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}}

''Rhipicephalus spp'' are mostly three host ticks, although some have a two host life cycle. They are commonly found on mammals but rarely infest reptiles and birds. These  species were previously indigenous to the 'Old World', but  have now  been spread to a range of habitats worldwide and are important  vectors  of several infectious agents. They can generally be identified  by:

''Rhipicephalus spp'' are mostly three host ticks, although some have a two host life cycle. They are commonly found on mammals but rarely infest reptiles and birds. These  species were previously indigenous to the 'Old World', but  have now  been spread to a range of habitats worldwide and are important  vectors  of several infectious agents. They can generally be identified  by:

===''Rhipicephalus sanguineus''===

===''Rhipicephalus sanguineus''===

 

| Also known as:

Also known as: '''''Brown dog tick — Kennel tick

| '''Brown dog tick<br>Kennel tick

This species is found throughout the world, mainly affecting dogs but also found on other mammals and birds including humans. In dogs its main predilection sites are behind the ears and between the toes. In the UK these ticks are found in houses and kennels as the outdoor conditions are not suitable, however in warmer climates the ticks can be found outdoors. This adult tick is yellow/brown in colour, while larvae are light brown and nymphs reddish. The adults can vary in size from 3mm up to 12mm in the engorged female. It is a three host tick and can complete its life cycle in 4 - 5 months, though this may take longer in colder conditions. Mating takes place on the host and once inseminated the female will feed for a number of days before shedding from the host. She will then lay approximately 4000 eggs in raised, sheltered spots and so eggs can often be found in kennel roof spaces. In dogs this tick can cause paralysis as well as acting as a vector for  Lyme disease (''[[Borrelia burgdorferi]]''), ''[[Babesia]] canis'', ''B.gibson'', ''[[Ehrlichia canis]]'', ''E.vogeli'', ''[[Salmonella]] enteritidis'', ''[[Hepatozoon]] canis'', ''Rickettsia conorii'', Q fever, as well as ''[[Rickettsia rickettsii]]'' (Rocky mountain spotted fever) in parts of the USA and Mexico.

This species is found throughout the world, mainly affecting dogs but also found on other mammals and birds including humans. In dogs its main predilection sites are behind the ears and between the toes. In the UK these ticks are found in houses and kennels as the outdoor conditions are not suitable, however in warmer climates the ticks can be found outdoors. This adult tick is yellow/brown in colour, while larvae are light brown and nymphs reddish. The adults can vary in size from 3mm up to 12mm in the engorged female. It is a three host tick and can complete its life cycle in 4 - 5 months, though this may take longer in colder conditions. Mating takes place on the host and once inseminated the female will feed for a number of days before shedding from the host. She will then lay approximately 4000 eggs in raised, sheltered spots and so eggs can often be found in kennel roof spaces. In dogs this tick can cause paralysis as well as acting as a vector for  Lyme disease (''[[Borrelia burgdorferi]]''), ''[[Babesia]] canis'', ''B.gibson'', ''[[Ehrlichia canis]]'', ''E.vogeli'', ''[[Salmonella]] enteritidis'', ''[[Hepatozoon]] canis'', ''Rickettsia conorii'', Q fever, as well as ''[[Rickettsia rickettsii]]'' (Rocky mountain spotted fever) in parts of the USA and Mexico.

==Overseas Species==

==Overseas Species==

===''Rhipicephalus microplus''===

===''Rhipicephalus microplus''===

 

| Also known as:

Also known as: '''''Boophilus microplus — Tropical cattle tick — Southern cattle tick

| '''''Boophilus microplus''<br>Tropical cattle tick<br>Southern cattle tick

This species is considered the most serious external parasites of Australian  cattle, though they also affect cattle accross the southern hemisphere  and the  southern states of the USA. It is able to complete its life  cycle in  just 2 months under optimal conditions and lay 2000 - 3000  eggs during  this time. It is important in its ability to act as a  vector for  ''[[Babesia]] bigemina'', ''Borrelia theileri'' in South America  and in  Australia of ''[[Coxiella burnetti]]'' and ''[[Anaplasma marginale]]''.  These  organisms can be passed down for up to 5 generations of ticks  regardless  of the hosts on which they feed as they can be passed  transovarially  between generations.

This species is considered the most serious external parasites of Australian  cattle, though they also affect cattle accross the southern hemisphere  and the  southern states of the USA. It is able to complete its life  cycle in  just 2 months under optimal conditions and lay 2000 - 3000  eggs during  this time. It is important in its ability to act as a  vector for  ''[[Babesia]] bigemina'', ''Borrelia theileri'' in South America  and in  Australia of ''[[Coxiella burnetti]]'' and ''[[Anaplasma marginale]]''.  These  organisms can be passed down for up to 5 generations of ticks  regardless  of the hosts on which they feed as they can be passed  transovarially  between generations.

[[Ticks_Flashcards|Ticks Flashcards]]

[[Ticks_Flashcards|Ticks Flashcards]]

[[Category:Hard_Ticks_-_UK]][[Category:Hard Ticks - Overseas]][[Category:To_Do_-_NickJ]][[Category:Expert_Review]]

[[Category:Hard_Ticks_-_UK]][[Category:Hard Ticks - Overseas]][[Category:To_Do_-_NickJ]][[Category:Expert_Review]]