Haemaphysalis concinna

Haemaphysalis concinna is a common rodent tick species that originally predominantly occurred in Russia and Eastern Europe, but is also known from Japan, China, Germany and France.
It is known to act as a vector of tickborne disease.

Description

Females reach a length of three to four mm, but can grow up to ten mm when engorged; males are about three mm long. An unfed nymph is under two mm long. There are more males than females.

Distribution, ecology

The tick can be found in the warm temperate climate zone of deciduous and mixed forests across Europe and Asia. It prefers moist habitats lake shores or river banks. In China, it has been found in northeastern regions including Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang, and Inner Mongolia.

Physiology

All three stages target different hosts, the eggs are laid on the ground. They mate on their host around April.
Nymphs and larvae feed on small mammals such as rodents or hedgehogs, or on birds, reptiles, and humans. Adults prefer larger mammals, ranging from cats to horses, again including humans.

Diseases

H. concinna can act as a vector for Francisella tularensis, Rickettsia sibirica, Rickettsia heilongjiangensis, Virus of Russian spring-summer encephalitis and tick-borne encephalitis.
It is a likely vector of Wetland virus.