The Ixodidae are the family of hard ticks or scale ticks, [1] one of the three families of ticks, consisting of over 700 species. They are known as 'hard ticks' because they have a scutum or hard shield, which the other major family of ticks, the 'soft ticks' (Argasidae), lack.

There are many genera and species of ticks in the families Ixodidae (hard ticks) and Argasidae (soft ticks) that are of public health importance.

Apr 1, 2024 · Pictorial key to the adults of hard ticks, family Ixodidae (Ixodida: Ixodoidea), east of the Mississippi River Keirans J.E., Litwak T.R. 1989. J. Med. Entomol. 26: 435-448.

Ixodes spp, the largest genus of the family Ixodidae, contains approximately 245 species and is highly specialized both structurally and biologically. So far as is known, all Ixodes spp have a three-host life cycle.

Feb 26, 2025 · Ticks are ectoparasitic arachnids belonging to the order Ixodida under the superorder Parasitiformes. They are extremely resilient arthropods that feed solely on vertebrate blood, often acting as a vector for transmitting pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, and protozoans, to the host’s body and causing infectious diseases.

Ixodes is a genus of hard-bodied ticks (family Ixodidae). It includes important disease vectors of animals and humans (tick-borne disease), and some species (notably Ixodes holocyclus) inject toxins that can cause paralysis. Some ticks in this genus may transmit the pathogenic bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi [3] responsible for causing Lyme disease.

The Ixodidae: the hard ticks. The Ixodidae contains the largest number of species with representatives found in all biogeographical regions. Many transmit an array of pathogens to humans, livestock, and domestic pets.

Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Arachnida Order: Metastigmata (Ixodida) Family: Ixodidae. Ixodes spp. ticks are a genus of hard ticks found worldwide. In North America, the primary species of veterinary and public health importance are I. scapularis (in southeast North America) and I. pacificus (in coastal regions of western North America).

Nov 5, 2020 · References to the descriptions and redescriptions of the 742 species of Ixodidae published from 1758 to December 31, 2019 are compiled, with the goal of enabling tick taxonomists to readily access this diffuse and often confusing literature.

Ixodidae is a family of ticks known as Hard Ticks. They are called hard ticks because they have a hard plate-like shield that covers their backs. As a hard tick feeds and swells up with blood, the shield on its back appears smaller and more towards its head.