Also known as the Marsh tick
Hosts
Water vole, bank vole, field vole
Distribution
UK: East Anglia
Switzerland
Germany
Denmark
Poland
Ixodes apronophorus is mainly found in marshes, reedbeds, lakesides and around river banks.
Pathogenesis
Water voles: Francisella tularensis
Description
Adult female dorsal features
- Palps long and narrow
- Cornua prominent
- Tarsus I ends with a steep taper
- Unfed females can measure between 2.3mm-2.6mm in length
- Engorged females can measure up to 6.0mm in length
(Photograph copyright Natural History Museum, London)
Adult female dorsal view (click on pictures for a close up)
Adult female ventral features
- Auriculae prominent and blunt
- Coxae I: prominent internal and external spurs
- Coxae II: short internal and external spurs
- Coxae III-IV: indistinct external spurs
Adult male dorsal features
- Palps long and narrow
- Cornua prominent
- Tarsus I ends with a steep taper
- Length of male range between 2.0mm-2.2mm
Adult male ventral features
- Coxae I: prominent internal and external spurs
- Coxae II: short internal and external spurs
- Coxae III-IV: indistinct external spurs
- Auriculae short and blunt
- Epimeral plates absent
