Eurasian sheep tick

A two-host hard tick of livestock and wildlife in Mediterranean and adjoining regions, particularly associated with sheep and goats.

Adults commonly parasitise sheep, goats and cattle; immature stages use smaller mammals and other hosts.

Established across parts of southern Europe, North Africa and western Asia; ECDC/EFSA maps distinguish reported and established occurrence.

Species-level confirmation should use appropriate morphological keys and, where necessary, expert examination. Photographs, host and location alone may be insufficient.

Identification requires the complete combination of family, genus and species-level morphological characters.

Use authoritative comparative keys; do not rely on colour, size, host or geography as a single diagnostic feature.

Photographs alone cannot always confirm this species.

Adult males and females differ in dorsal shield coverage and feeding-related expansion; confirm stage and sex using an appropriate key.

Egg, larva, nymph and adult stages are present; host-use pattern is species-specific.

Seasonal activity varies geographically and should be interpreted from local surveillance.

Established across parts of southern Europe, North Africa and western Asia; ECDC/EFSA maps distinguish reported and established occurrence.

Veterinary importance includes documented associations with piroplasms. Disease-agent detection, biological transmission and regional disease risk must be distinguished.

Adults commonly parasitise sheep, goats and cattle; immature stages use smaller mammals and other hosts.

Veterinary importance includes documented associations with piroplasms. Disease-agent detection, biological transmission and regional disease risk must be distinguished.

Human-health relevance is stated only where governed evidence supports human biting or transmission; otherwise no human-vector claim is made.

Veterinary relevance is based on documented host use, livestock exposure and separately cited transmission evidence.

Use habitat-appropriate tick avoidance, animal inspection and veterinary-led control.

Remove attached ticks promptly using evidence-based guidance and seek medical or veterinary advice when indicated.