Also known as the Southern rodent tick

 

Hosts

Small rodents, mustelids, fox, badger, human (rarely)

 

Distribution

South West England, Scilly/ Channel Islands, Belgium, France, Spain, Italy, Mediterranean region

Ixodes acuminatus is found in lowland coastal areas mainly in burrows and nests of its host.

 

Pathogenesis

Borrelia burgdoferi

Francisella tularensis

Coxiella burneti

Note: Not much is known about the male

 

Description

Adult female dorsal features

  • Palps long and narrow
  • Cornua prominent
  • Tarsus I tapered
  • Length of unfed female can range between 2.2mm-2.5mm
  • Engorged females can measure up to 6.0mm

Ixodes_acuminatus_f-jaburtoncollection_tray84-dorsal-5_0x 0 femaledorsal

(Specimen courtesy of the Natural History Museum, London)

Adult female dorsal view (click on pictures for a close up)

Adult female ventral features

  • Auriculae prominent
  • Coxae I: distinct internal and external spurs
  • Coxae II-IV: short internal and external spurs
  • Genital opening between coxae IV

Ixodes_acuminatus_f-jaburtoncollection_tray84-ventral-5_0x 0 femaleventral

(Specimen courtesy of the Natural History Museum, London)

Adult female ventral view (click on pictures for a close up)