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Castor bean tick

Castor bean tick

Ixodes ricinus

A species of Ixodes, Also known as Sheep tick, True sheep tick

The castor bean tick (Ixodes ricinus) is known for carrying viral pathogens that cause Encephalitis and Lyme Disease. Much like other Ixodes, it has no eyes. Instead, they have sensory structures on their front legs and can smell a good host. They have a three-host lifecycle that lasts 2 to 3 years. Their hosts include horses, dogs, sheep, and humans.

Bite Humans
Bite Humans
Bite Animals
Bite Animals
Cause Disease in Humans
Pathogenic
Does Castor bean tick consume human blood?
Hematophagy
General Info About Castor bean tick
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Attributes of Castor bean tick
Colors
Brown
Black
Red
Habitat
heath; forest; humid area
Adult Food Sources
Blood from larger mammals such as dogs, deer, cattle, and occasionally humans
Larva Food Source
Blood from mammals, birds, or reptiles
Biting/stinging
The Castor bean tick may bite humans actively. Please stay away from it.
Allergy-causing
Not reported
Defensive attack
Not reported
Venomous
Not reported
Non-poisonous
Not reported
Borer
Not reported
Pollinator
Not reported
Pest-Eating Predatory
Not reported
Phytophagous
Not reported
Predatory
The Castor bean tick typically preys on other arthropods and does not directly affect plants.
Biting animal or pet
Yes
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Species Status of Castor bean tick
It is found across Europe and into neighbouring parts of North Africa and the Middle East, extending as far north as Iceland and as far east as parts of Russia.
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Distribution Area of Castor bean tick
Europe and into neighbouring parts of North Africa and the Middle East
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Appearance of Castor bean tick
It may reach a length of 1.09 cm when engorged with a blood meal. Adult males are 2 - 2.5 mm long, and unfed nymphs are 1.3 - 1.5 mm long; females are 3 - 3.5 mm long before feeding and 1.09 cm long when engorged.
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How to Identify Castor bean tick?

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Adult Size of Castor bean tick
2.5 - 4 mm
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Predators of Castor bean tick Larvae
Birds, amphibians, rodents, ant species
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Predators of Adult Castor bean tick
Birds, wild boars, rodents
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Interesting Facts About Castor bean tick
Castor bean tick can survive underwater for up to two weeks, a rare trait not commonly known for a land parasitic insect.
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Scientific Classification of Castor bean tick
Order
Ticks
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Genus
Ixodes
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Tips for Finding Castor bean tick
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Youth Habitat of Castor bean tick
Forests and Woodlands, Grasslands and Prairies, Urban and Suburban Areas
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Adult Habitat of Castor bean tick
Forests and Woodlands, Grasslands and Prairies, Urban and Suburban Areas, Agricultural and Cultivated Areas
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How Can You Attract Castor bean tick
Carbon dioxide, heat, and movement are effective lures used in traps to simulate host presence.
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When is the Best Time to Observe Castor bean tick
Late spring and early summer or after a rain when humidity is high.
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What is the Best Weather to Observe Castor bean tick
Mild and humid conditions, as castor bean tick requires moisture to avoid desiccation.
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How and Where Can You Find Castor bean tick at Different Life Stages
Juvenile Larval castor bean tick are tiny, about the size of a pinhead. Look for them in leaf litter and low vegetation. A fine-toothed comb or similar tool can help collect them from the environment.
Nymph castor bean tick are slightly larger than larvae and can be found near the ground in dense grass or leaf litter. They are best found by dragging a white cloth over vegetation, as they will climb on and be visible against the cloth.
Adult Adult castor bean tick can be found on taller vegetation, where they wait to attach to passing hosts. Spotting them may require a careful visual inspection of bushes, tall grasses, and the bark of trees. They can be collected using the same cloth-dragging method as for nymphs.
Are Castor bean tick harmful?
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The castor bean tick carries pathogens that can infect other creatures and could potentially lead to disease. It is dangerous to humans, pets, or plants.

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Are Castor bean tick harmful to humans?

The castor bean tick is a common transmitter of many dangerous diseases including Lyme disease, louping ill, and Q fever. This tick easily transmits these diseases to many hosts through biting and feeding on the hosts’ blood. While a tick bite on its own does not cause lasting harm to humans, these diseases can be dangerous. Lyme disease, for example, can cause fever, headache, fatigue, and skin rashes. If untreated, Lyme disease can spread throughout the body and infect the joints, heart, and nervous system. Lyme disease can be treated in just a few weeks if caught early, and identification of the tick bite can be important for proper diagnosis.
Wearing protective clothing, using repellants and pesticides, avoiding tick habitats, and removing ticks promptly are all ways to prevent tick bites and the diseases they transmit. Consult a medical professional if you feel experience any symptoms after receiving a castor bean tick bite.
Harmful Effects of Castor bean tick
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Bite Humans
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Bite Animals
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Pathogenic
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Bite Humans

Castor bean tick bites humans, particularly through its lifecycle stages from larvae to adults, to feed on blood, necessary for its development. It uses specialized mouthparts to pierce skin, often going unnoticed due to anesthetic properties in its saliva. Bites can result in irritation and potentially transmit diseases.

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Bite Animals

The castor bean tick bites are primarily for feeding purposes. During its life cycle, from larvae to adults, it attaches to hosts, which may include a range of mammals and birds. The feeding process can unintentionally transmit various pathogens, making its bite a concern for disease transmission rather than the bite itself causing direct harm.

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Cause Disease in Humans

Castor bean tick is a tick known for transmitting pathogens that cause Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis. Infection occurs through its bite, leading to symptoms such as rash, fever, and fatigue. If left untreated, these diseases can result in neurological complications, arthritis, and cardiac issues. Risk varies with castor bean tick's life cycle and regional presence.

More Effects of Castor bean tick

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