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African Bont Tick (♂)

Amblyomma hebraeum

Photo by Tiz
Published on Project Noah
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-26.2769, 31.9814

Field Notes

Description:

A hebraeum males are 4.2–5.7 mm long and A. hebraeum females are 5 mm long. A.hebraeum belongs in the family of Ixodidae (hard tick). Hard ticks have a dorsal shield (scutum) and their mouthparts (capitulum) protrude forward when they are seen from above.

Habitat:

Rocky area close to a river.
Fishing Trail, Mlawula Nature reserve

Notes:

Female produces up to 20000 eggs that hatch between 4-13 weeks, depending on the circumstances. The larvae engorge 4-20 days and moult in 2-7 weeks. The nymphs engorge in 5-20 days and moult in 14- 60 days. Adult females engorge in 10-20 days. African Tick-Bite fever caused by Rickettsia africae transmitted by a. hebraeum.

We have quite good tick experience from this mission in Swaziland. Tick bite fewer antibodys are now developed in at least two of the mission members :) Almost every day one of us has a new tick to remove!
Thank you for the ID to Staccyh!

Reference Links:

African Bont Tick

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (9)
Tiz
I hope you got antibodies enough not to develop that again Diaz. These guys are naughty!!
Diaz José Miguel
Wow I had a rickettsiosis last february... got it from a tick here Costa Rica. I was really really sick.
Tiz
That looks like a great ID Staccyh! Thank you very much!
staccyh
Tiz, apparently its Amblyomma hebraeum: http://www.kznhealth.gov.za/environ/vector/africanbonttick.htm
Tiz
Have not seen this one on any animals so far, It is rare that I get close to them. But all the antelopes here have ticks on them (more or less). I have seen small ticks on tortoises, guinea fowls and the rock monitor as well. It is a tick paradise right now after a few weeks of rain :)
staccyh
Which animals do you find these on mostly?
Tiz
Thank you Staccyh! I wish there was a way to sent it to her :) I think she would love it here now!!! We are in constant tick battle!! :)
staccyh
The woman that runs the Tick Cell Biobank at the institute where I work would be thrilled if she had found this beauty in the field! Nice photo Tiz.

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Mlawula Nature Reserve

Tags

Photographed
PublishedApril 4, 2014

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