Oregon tick identification - Ask Extension
Greetings,
This tick was collected by our dog at Mollala R. State park in Canby, Oregon on June 19. I believe it may be a "dog tick" but ...
Knowledgebase
Oregon tick identification #797082
Asked June 21, 2022, 3:50 PM EDT
Greetings,
This tick was collected by our dog at Mollala R. State park in Canby, Oregon on June 19. I believe it may be a "dog tick" but would really appreciate an expert opinion/ID.
Note: the tick was originally put in an orange juice container and some juice pulp remained with the tick when transferred to alcohol. (in case you were wondering).
Thank You!
Clackamas County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi Michael,
That is a female tick from the genus Dermacentor. Several species are possible in our area including the western dog tick, (D. similis), the Rocky Mountain wood tick (D. andersoni), and the Pacific Coast tick (D. occidentalis). I can't tell which Dermacentor species that is from the photos, though.
Luckily, no ticks from the genus Dermacentor are able to transmit Lyme disease; only ticks from the genus Ixodes are able to do that. Dermacentor ticks can transmit other diseases (Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia), but cases of these diseases being transmitted by tick bites in OR are extremely rare, so I don't think you have to worry about those either.
Hope that helps!
That is a female tick from the genus Dermacentor. Several species are possible in our area including the western dog tick, (D. similis), the Rocky Mountain wood tick (D. andersoni), and the Pacific Coast tick (D. occidentalis). I can't tell which Dermacentor species that is from the photos, though.
Luckily, no ticks from the genus Dermacentor are able to transmit Lyme disease; only ticks from the genus Ixodes are able to do that. Dermacentor ticks can transmit other diseases (Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia), but cases of these diseases being transmitted by tick bites in OR are extremely rare, so I don't think you have to worry about those either.
Hope that helps!
