A species of hard bodied tick that may reach a length of 11 mm when engorged with a blood meal. Detailed examination is necessary for the safe identification of this species.

Rough grassland and woodland where suitable host species are present.

All year round.

Ixodes ricinus is a three-host tick: larvae, nymphs and adults feed on different hosts - whilst larvae and nymphs prefer small to medium-sized animals, adults tend to feed on large-sized animals. This tick species feeds on a broad range of mammals and birds and may bite humans.

Widely distributed throughout Britain and believed to be fairly frequent.

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.