Ticks in Montana

Winter tick

Dermacentor albipictus

Present Dermacentor hard_tick Montana

Montana State University Extension records the winter tick as found in Montana.

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A one-host Dermacentor species widely known as the winter tick. Human encounters are reported, while health claims require association-specific evidence.

Identification:

A hard tick in the genus Dermacentor. Species confirmation requires examination of diagnostic morphology; photographs, host and location alone may be insufficient.

Hosts: Humans, Horses

Photographs and visible features may be insufficient for definitive identification.

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Rocky Mountain wood tick

Also known as: Rocky Mountain tick

Dermacentor andersoni

Present Dermacentor hard_tick Montana

Montana State University Extension identifies the Rocky Mountain wood tick as frequently found on companion animals in Montana.

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A hard tick of the Rocky Mountain states and southwestern Canada. Adults are the principal stage associated with pathogen transmission to humans.

Also known as: Rocky Mountain tick

Identification:

Adults are ornate Dermacentor ticks with short mouthparts, eyes and festoons. Females have a cream-patterned anterior scutum; males show pale mottling across most of the dorsum.

Hosts: Humans, Small mammals, Large mammals, Livestock, Dogs

Habitats: Rocky Mountain rangeland, Grassland and shrubland

Photographs and visible features may be insufficient for definitive identification.

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American dog tick

Also known as: Wood tick

Dermacentor variabilis

Present Dermacentor hard_tick Montana

Montana State University Extension identifies the American dog tick as frequently found on companion animals in Montana.

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A widespread North American hard tick. Adults commonly bite dogs and humans, while larvae and nymphs feed mainly on small mammals.

Also known as: Wood tick

Identification:

Adults have short mouthparts, eyes and festoons, with pale ornamentation on the dorsal shield. Females have a pale patterned scutum at the front; males have ornamentation across most of the dorsum.

Hosts: Humans, Dogs, Small mammals, Large mammals

Habitats: Woodland edges and trails, Grassland and shrubland

Photographs and visible features may be insufficient for definitive identification.

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Brown dog tick

Rhipicephalus sanguineus

Present Montana

Montana State University Extension records the brown dog tick as less frequently found in Montana.

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A globally distributed, dog-associated hard tick able to complete its life cycle in buildings and kennels. UK records are linked to importation; UKHSA reports no current evidence of establishment outdoors or as a resident UK population.

Identification:

Laterally produced angular basis capituli.

Eyes and festoons present.

Scutum lacks ornamentation.

Mouthparts relatively short compared with the basis capituli.

Coxa I has large paired internal and external spurs.

Rhipicephalus sanguineus is a species complex in some literature; expert morphological and sometimes molecular review may be necessary.

Photographs and visible features may be insufficient for definitive identification.

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