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Species profile

Rabbit tick

Ixodes ventalloi

A rare UK hard tick principally associated with rabbits and some of their predators. UKHSA reports records from offshore islands and attachment to humans.

Two molecularly confirmed adult female rabbit ticks (Ixodes ventalloi) in dorsal view, showing the scutum and mouthparts
Two adult female Ixodes ventalloi specimens in dorsal view with details of the scutum and gnathosoma. The specimens were identified using morphological examination and mitochondrial 16S rRNA analysis.

Image credit:Peňazziová, K. L. et al. (2024), Figure 2; Parasitology Research / Springer Nature; CC BY 4.0 Licence termsChanges: Converted from WEBP to JPEG for Shopify compatibility at 1769 × 660 px; no crop or content alteration.Source

Image gallery

Two molecularly confirmed adult female rabbit ticks (Ixodes ventalloi) in dorsal view, showing the scutum and mouthparts
Two adult female Ixodes ventalloi specimens in dorsal view with details of the scutum and gnathosoma. The specimens were identified using morphological examination and mitochondrial 16S rRNA analysis.

Image credit:Peňazziová, K. L. et al. (2024), Figure 2; Parasitology Research / Springer Nature; CC BY 4.0 Licence termsChanges: Converted from WEBP to JPEG for Shopify compatibility at 1769 × 660 px; no crop or content alteration.Source

Quick facts

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

Taxonomic authority: Gil Collado, 1936.

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

Identification

Published work documents historical misidentification and phenotypic variation. Morphological and, where necessary, molecular confirmation should be used.

Published work documents historical misidentification and phenotypic variation. Morphological and, where necessary, molecular confirmation should be used.

Photographs alone cannot always confirm a tick species.

Distribution

UKHSA describes this as a rare UK species recorded on offshore islands.

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: confirmed attachment reported.

Veterinary relevance status: limited evidence review required.

Medical importance

confirmed_attachment_reported

Veterinary importance

limited_evidence_review_required

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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