Haemaphysalis punctata Canestrini and Fanzago 1877, a tick of pastured seadunes on the island of Texel (the Netherlands)

Dunesheep are the main hosts for the tick Haemaphysalis punctata on the island of Texel. All stages may complete their bloodmeal on these animals. Additional hosts include horses, native mammals (rabbit, ferret) and a number of bird species (especially for the larvae and nymphs). The dependance of this tick on dunesheep appears to originate from the absence of big game on the island and the fact that only sheep are pastured to any extent in the dunes. This also means that only about 3-4 % of the area of the island is infested with this tick. Ixodes ricinus is present on the island also: adults... Mehr ...