Identifying the Ixodes Texanus Tick: A Comprehensive Guide

Ixodes Texanus or raccoon ticks are a common parasite found in the US. There are eight different species of ticks which are responsible for ten different tick-borne diseases. Ticks are responsible for 95 percent of vector-borne diseases. Identification of tick species will help medical staff to correctly treat any tick-borne disease. You can differentiate between species by observing differences in color, mouth parts, dorsal shield, festoons, size and body shape.

Instructions

• 1

  Examine the body shape of the parasite.

  Ticks have oval, rounded or teardrop shapes. It is easier to discern shape when the tick is not engorged. Ixodes ticks have a teardrop shaped body.

• 2

  Look at the size of the tick.

  Male Ixodes ticks are smaller than the female and are approximately half the size of a sesame seed. Some ticks have small mouths that are not visible to the naked eye. However, Ixodes ticks have long mouths parts which enable them to feed on humans.

• 3

  Observe the color of the tick.

  Ixodes ticks have a black dorsal shield and a brick red body. The females have a deeper red color. Color is affected by age and engorgement. Most ticks turn a grey color when fully engorged. Color may not always be a conclusive means of identification, but it does help.

• 4

  Examine the tick for festoons.

  Some ticks have deep grooves (festoons) along their backs, but Ixodes ticks do not have any visible festoons.