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Species profile

Passerine tick

Ixodes frontalis

A bird-specialist hard tick, particularly associated with passerines feeding on the ground beneath roosts. UKHSA reports records in England and Wales and occasional attachment to humans.

Ixodes frontalis passerine tick photographed in the United Kingdom
not_stated · not_stated

Image credit:Matthew Wilkinson; public domain Licence termsSource

Ixodes frontalis passerine tick photographed in Belgium
not_stated · not_stated

Image credit:Gilles San Martin / iNaturalist / Wikimedia Commons Licence termsSource

Ixodes frontalis passerine tick photographed in Germany
not_stated · not_stated

Image credit:Dr. Guido Bohne / iNaturalist / Wikimedia Commons Licence termsSource

Ixodes frontalis passerine tick photographed in Austria
not_stated · not_stated

Image credit:carnifex / iNaturalist / Wikimedia Commons Licence termsSource

Alternate photograph of an Ixodes frontalis passerine tick observed in Austria
not_stated · not_stated

Image credit:carnifex / iNaturalist / Wikimedia Commons Licence termsSource

Image gallery

Ixodes frontalis passerine tick photographed in the United Kingdom
Verified UK observation

Image credit:Matthew Wilkinson; public domain Licence termsSource

Ixodes frontalis passerine tick photographed in Belgium
Verified Belgium observation

Image credit:Gilles San Martin / iNaturalist / Wikimedia Commons Licence termsSource

Ixodes frontalis passerine tick photographed in Germany
Verified Germany observation

Image credit:Dr. Guido Bohne / iNaturalist / Wikimedia Commons Licence termsSource

Ixodes frontalis passerine tick photographed in Austria
Verified Austria observation

Image credit:carnifex / iNaturalist / Wikimedia Commons Licence termsSource

Alternate photograph of an Ixodes frontalis passerine tick observed in Austria
Verified Austria observation, alternate view

Image credit:carnifex / iNaturalist / Wikimedia Commons Licence termsSource

Quick facts

Family: Ixodidae. Genus: Ixodes. Tick type: hard tick.

Taxonomic authority: Panzer, 1798.

Recorded life-cycle stages: egg, larva, nymph, adult.

Identification

The species has historically been difficult to identify and should be confirmed with an authoritative key; photographs alone may not be diagnostic.

The species has historically been difficult to identify and should be confirmed with an authoritative key; photographs alone may not be diagnostic.

Photographs alone cannot always confirm a tick species.

Distribution

Historical records were restricted to England, with newer records reported from Wales.

Presence, established populations, habitat suitability and disease risk are distinct evidence categories.

Countries and regions

  • United Kingdom — present

    Included in the UKHSA tick species profiles for the United Kingdom.

Medical and veterinary relevance

Human-biting evidence status: occasional human attachment reported.

An association between adult females and avian tick-related syndrome has been reported in the UK.

Veterinary relevance status: high for wild bird rehabilitation.

Medical importance

occasional_human_attachment_reported

Veterinary importance

high_for_wild_bird_rehabilitation

An association between adult females and avian tick-related syndrome has been reported in the UK.

Important identification and health information

Educational information and limitations

Photographs and visible features may be insufficient for definitive identification.

This educational information is not a diagnosis or a substitute for medical or veterinary advice.

This educational information does not replace examination or advice from a qualified veterinary professional.

Presence, established populations, habitat suitability and disease risk are distinct evidence categories.

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