Where are non-encephalitis ticks found? - briefly
Non‑encephalitic tick species are most frequently encountered in temperate grasslands, forests, and shrublands throughout North America, Europe, and parts of Asia. They inhabit leaf litter, tall grasses, and low vegetation where typical hosts such as rodents and deer are present.
Where are non-encephalitis ticks found? - in detail
Non‑encephalitic tick species are encountered across a broad range of biogeographic zones and ecosystems. Their presence is linked to climate, vegetation, and available host animals rather than to the presence of encephalitis‑transmitting viruses.
In temperate zones of Europe and North America, species such as Ixodes ricinus (the castor bean tick) and Dermacentor variabilis (the American dog tick) occupy deciduous and mixed forests, woodland edges, and shaded grasslands. They are frequently collected from leaf litter, low vegetation, and the lower strata of shrub layers where humidity remains high. Urban green spaces, public parks, and peri‑urban gardens also support these ticks, especially where small mammals (rodents, hedgehogs) are abundant.
In the southern United States, Amblyomma americanum (the lone‑star tick) thrives in wooded areas, pine savannas, and pasturelands. It is commonly found on tall grasses and in the leaf litter of oak‑hickory forests, as well as in agricultural fields where cattle and deer serve as hosts.
In tropical and subtropical regions, Rhipicephalus sanguineus (the brown dog tick) and Haemaphysalis longicornis (the Asian long‑horned tick) inhabit human‑made environments such as homes, kennels, and livestock facilities. They also persist in scrubland, low‑lying grass, and bushy habitats with moderate humidity.
Key habitats and associated regions:
- Forest and woodland ecosystems – Europe (central and western), eastern United States, parts of Japan and Korea.
- Grassland and meadow environments – Central Asia, the Great Plains of North America, southern Brazil.
- Shrub and scrub habitats – Mediterranean basin, South Africa’s fynbos, Australian bushland.
- Urban and peri‑urban green areas – Parks and gardens throughout temperate cities, where small mammals and birds provide blood meals.
- Livestock‑related settings – Cattle pastures, sheep farms, and dog kennels in temperate and subtropical zones.
Microhabitat preferences include:
- Moist leaf litter and forest floor detritus where desiccation risk is low.
- Low to mid‑height vegetation (5–30 cm) that provides questing platforms for host attachment.
- Animal burrows and nests, offering stable temperature and humidity.
Overall, non‑encephalitic ticks are distributed from boreal forests to subtropical savannas, occupying any environment that supplies adequate humidity, suitable vegetation structure, and a reliable host population.