TICK IDENTIFICATION KEY

Ixodes tick species identification

female Ixodes spp. dorsal view

If you have used the original "TIK" you will have identified your tick sample to genus level. If you have identified it as genus Ixodes, you can now try and identify it to species level.

Many ticks show a level of host specificity, meaning that if you, for example, collect a tick from a sheep in the UK, it is highly likely to be Ixodes ricinus species. However, many ticks species and their lifestages feed on different host species. Hence, identifying ticks to species level can provide information on what the normal host range is for that species. It may also provide insight into potential disease risk carried by that species.

Identifying ticks to species level is a bit trickier as the stuctures that you are looking for are often smaller and less obvious to notice. A stereo-microscope or other means of magnification, will be necessary to view the structures involved.

Note: this identification key is far from complete and will cover mainly European Ixodes species

.To continue with Ixodes species identification go to Step 1

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Frank L. Ruedisueli

Nottingham Trent University

(Note: all images are Copyright)