IXODES REDUVIUS 



365 



oval ; anal shield small, about one-third the length of ventral shield. 

 The adult female varies from 2*80 3*5 mm. when not distended, but 

 when gorged may reach 10 mm. long. The shield and legs are 

 dark blackish-brown, body deep orange-red with four dark longi- 

 tudinal lines, paler beneath and light grey in front. When dis- 

 tending it is pale red to grey or white ; when fully gorged olive-green, 

 or dark red to black with irregular yellow streaks on the back and 

 sides just before egg laying. Sexual orifice opposite fourth pair of 

 legs. The pupa varies from i'6o 1*70 mm. long when fasting ; 

 the body is olive-white, opaque, with four distinct brown posterior 

 markings and similar anterior ones, leaving a pale centre to the 

 shield. When fully gorged it is 3 mm. long. As the pupa distends 

 it changes from opaque white to blue-black and finally black. The 



B. 



FIG. 236. A, the rostrum of Ixodes 

 ricinus (male) ; B, the terminal joint 

 of the maxillary palpi of the female 

 (enlarged). (After Pagen steelier.) 



FIG. 237. Female of Ixodes ricinus, 

 gorged full, ventral and dorsal surfaces. 

 2/1. (After Pagenstecher.) 



little larva is 0*80 1*50 _mm. long, transparent with olive-green 

 intestinal markings ; as it becomes inflated it changes to blue- 

 black and then black. They have no eyes. It is widely distributed 

 and chiefly attacks sheep ; sometimes it occurs on dogs and also 

 attacks man. Megnin records it from horses in the nymph stage. 

 Amongst its other numerous hosts are goats, cattle, deer, hedgehogs, 

 moles, bats, birds and lizards. It is usually known as the Grass 

 Tick and Bottle-nosed Tick. 



Synonyms. Considerable confusion exists over the name of this 

 and other common Ticks, owing to the same species having been 

 described under a great many names. Observers have taken the 

 same species on different animals and in various stages to be distinct 

 and have described them accordingly. 



The name Ixodes reduvius, Leach, does not stand, as Leach was 



