GENUS
|
Argas
|
| SPECIES |
reflexus |
| LOCATION |
In
Europe: France, Britain, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Poland,
Italy, |
| |
Spain
and Switzerland. Also found in the Middle East |
| HABITAT |
Lives
in the nest of its host |
| LIFE
CYCLE |
May
survive for years |
| MATING
HABIT |
Mating
takes place off host in nest |
| FEEDING
HABIT |
Once
fed it can survive for long periods |
| |
The
bite is very painful |
| |
Infestation
may cause pigeon death |
| HOSTS
|
Mostly
targets the domestic pigeon |
| |
May
also be found on other birds and chickens |
| |
Adults
are accidentally found on horses and man |
| DISEASES
|
Transmits
West Nile virus, Tick borne encephalitis (TBE), Borrelia
|
| |
anserina
(fowl spirochaetosis), Aegyptianella pullorum (fowl |
| |
piroplamosis),
Rickettsia conorii (Q fever), Borrelia burgdorferi |
| |
(Lyme
disease) |
| SIZE |
Female:
6.5-10 mm
|
| |
Male:
5-7.5 mm |
| |
Unfed
Nymph: 3.5-6.5 mm |
| REFERENCES |
HILLYARD
1996 |
