194
THE ESSEX NATURALIST
(Hedgehog—♂ juv.—on neck), Billericay, 30.ix.1967 (R.J.K.); 1
nymph, Vulpes vulpes (L.) (Fox—♀), nr. Colchester, Marks Tey,
5.ii.l962; 1 ♀, (Fox—♂), Wickford (Colchester & Essex Museum);
1 ♀, 3 nymphs, (Fox—♀), Lambourne End, 27.vi.1965 (Passmore
Edwards Museum); 19, 1 nymph, Meles meles (L.) (Badger—♂),
Dunmow, iii.1960 (D.S.)—this host had been dead for a week
when examined—the ♀ was attached to the back and the nymph
was in the left ear; 2 ♀ ♀, (Badger—♂), Rochford, Cherry Orchard
Lane, iv.1960 (D.H.); 49 9, (Badger—♂—head, neck and ears),
Billericay, iv.1964 (R.J.K.); 2 ♀ ♀, (Badger—♀—throat), Billeri-
cay, Norsey Woods, xi.1964 (R.J.K.); 39 9, 10 nymphs, 29 larvae,
Mustela erminea (L.) (Stoat—♂), Navestock, 17.iv.1965 (A.C.W.);
19, (Stoat), Bradwell-on-Sea, "autumn", 1965 (A.B.O.); 2
nymphs, Canis familiaris (L.) ("terrier"—♀), Billericay, Forty
Acre Plantation, viri.1967 (R.J.K.).
The hedgehog is probably the commonest host of this tick but
it has been recorded on many occasions from fox, stoat, weasel,
etc. The males are rarely found on the host but they do occur in
the nests, burrows, etc. Human beings are occasionally para-
sitised but the ill effects are minimal.
*I. canisuga (Johnston)
1 ♀,1 nymph, dog ("terrier"—♀ ), Billericay, 18.vi.1965 (R.J.K.);
6 nymphs, same host and locality, 12.vi.1966 (R.J.K.)—this dog
had entered a badger sett at Mill Meadows, Billericay, on the
previous day on both occasions: 3 nymphs, dog (dachshund—♂),
Althorne, 18.vi. 1965 (R.J.K.)—this dog had entered a badger sett
and a fox earth at Althorne several days previously.
Although this species was originally described from a 'pointer'
in Berwickshire and has since been recorded from shepherds' collie
dogs on a number of occasions, it seems, as a result of more recent
collecting, the true hosts are badgers and foxes. The present
records support this suggestion.
*I. arboricola Schulze and Schlottke
9 ♀ ♀, 8 nymphs, 9 larvae, Athene noctua (Scopoli) (Little Owl),
nr. Colchester, Friday Woods, 1962 (J. J. Heath).
This tick parasitises those birds which build nests in holes,
cavities of trees etc., where there is continuity of occupants. The
males have not yet been taken on birds in Britain.
*I. pari Leach
1 ♀, Phylloscopus trochilus (L.) (Willow Warbler), Bradwell-
on-Sea, "autumn", 1965 (A.B.O.).
This tick, frequently referred to as I. frontalis (Panzer) in the
past, is not common. It is a bird tick which has only been taken
in the southern part of Britain. The male has not yet been taken
in Britain.