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Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806)
Brown Dog Tick
Family: Ixodidae

Introduction to the Ticks of BC

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Distribution of Rhipicephalus sanguineus in British Columbia in British Columbia

Introduction


There are two major sources of information for tick species in Canada and British Columbia. One is an old Canada Department of Agriculture publication: The Ixodoidea of Canada by John D. Gregson (1956). The other is the relatively new A Handbook to the Ticks of Canada (Ixodida: Ixodidae, Argasidae) by Lindquist et al. 2016. (Available from here.) John Gregson's considerable work on ticks provided key information on tick biology, distribution and host species. Information from Gregson's book forms the core of the species biology presented below. His original distribution information has been updated, however, based on collection records from the Canadian National Collection and other sources. That information is now further updated in the new book by Lindquist et al. (2016), and those interested in tick distributions should consult that publication. Thanks to Evert Lindquist, King Wu, Terry Galloway and Robbin Lindsay for input and insights into the biology and distribution of our tick fauna, and review of the original tick pages.

Species Information

Gregson (1956) describes this genus as follows: “Usually inornate, with prominent eyes and festoons. Anal grooves posterior to anus, with a median postanal groove. Basis capituli hexagonal dorsally,. Palpi short. Coxa I deeply bifid. Males with one pair of adanal shields and usually a pair of accessory shields.” He describes this species as “easily recognized by its prominent eys and hexagonal basis capituli. The males bear distinctive adanal and accessory shields.”

Source: Gregson, John D. 1956. The Ixodoideae of Canada. Canada Department of Agriculture, Ottawa


Figures illustrating terms used in the description of ticks [PDF].

Biology

Species Biology

This usual host of this species is the dog, but it is sometimes found in rabbits, deer, and mules (Gregson 1956). It is unusual because it can complete its entire life cycle indoors (Lord 2008).

Habitat


Because dogs carry this tick, it is usually found in houses.

Distribution

Global Range

According to Gregson (1956), this is one of the most widely distributed tick species in the world. It spread to the new world following colonization (Gregson 1956). He indidcates that it is present in most of the eastern US and many western states.
Range in Canada and BC

This species is reported from Ontario, Nova Scotia, and Quebec (Gregson 1956), and has now been reported from BC.

Status Information

Origin StatusProvincial StatusBC List
(Red Blue List)		COSEWIC
UnlistedUnlistedUnlistedUnlisted



BC Ministry of Environment: BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer--the authoritative source for conservation information in British Columbia.

Species References

Gregson, John D. 1956. The Ixodoidae of Canada. Canada Department of Agricluture, Ottawa.

Lindquist, Evert E., Terry D. Galloway, Harvey Artsob, L. Robbin Lindsay, Michael Brebot, Heidi Wood and Richard. G. Robbins. 2016. A Handbook to the Ticks of Canada (Ixodida: Ixodidae, Argasidae Biological Survey of Canada, Ottawa

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