Dermacentor albipictus, the winter tick, is a species of hard tick that parasitizes many different mammal species in North America. It is commonly associated with cervid species such as elk (Cervus canadensis), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), mule deer (O. hemionus) and caribou (Rangifer tarandus) but is primarily known as a serious pest of moose (Alces alces). As early as 1909, Ernest Thompson Seton described the winter tick as a greater enemy of the moose than were "wolves, bears, and cougars."
From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Is it venomous or poisonous?
We have no record of Winter tick being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.
Easily confused with
- Rhipicephalus sanguineus
- Haemaphysalis longicornis
- Dermacentor occidentalis
- Ixodes hexagonus
- Dermacentor reticulatus
- Amblyomma ovale
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Ixodida
- Family
- Ixodidae
- Genus
- Dermacentor
- Species
- Dermacentor albipictus
Found one? Take a photo and B.inomen will suggest what it is, free.
Check your photo