Back to previous results

Species profile

Fox/badger tick

Ixodes canisuga

A nest- and den-associated hard tick widely distributed in the UK and commonly reported from badgers, foxes and domestic dogs.

Ventral focus-stacked microscope view of an adult Ixodes canisuga tick
Adult specimen, ventral view

Image credit:Gilles San Martin / Wikimedia Commons; originally Flickr Licence termsSource

Image gallery

Ventral focus-stacked microscope view of an adult Ixodes canisuga tick
Adult specimen, ventral view

Image credit:Gilles San Martin / Wikimedia Commons; originally Flickr Licence termsSource

Quick facts

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

Taxonomic authority: Johnston, 1849.

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

Identification

Reliable separation from related Pholeoixodes ticks may require adult female morphology or molecular confirmation; photographs alone may be insufficient.

Reliable separation from related Pholeoixodes ticks may require adult female morphology or molecular confirmation; photographs alone may be insufficient.

Photographs alone cannot always confirm a tick species.

Distribution

UKHSA describes the species as widely distributed throughout the UK.

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: low or rare on current evidence.

Commonly reported on domestic dogs.

Veterinary relevance status: companion animal relevance.

Medical importance

low_or_rare_on_current_evidence

Veterinary importance

companion_animal_relevance

Commonly reported on domestic dogs.

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.

Back to previous results