Tick
Tick, probably Ixodes ricinus, the Deer Tick, Sheep Tick or Castor Bean Tick, a partially engorged nymph, approximately 2.0mm long, extracted alive from my lower back after a visit to Holme Fen NNR on July 2, 2020. Image taken on July 4, 2020.
I was eating my dinner in front of the TV last night when I felt my back itching, and a fingertip exploration (or what medics always like to call a 'digital examination') immediately identified the likely source. Thankfully it was in an accessible place and came out easily, and a quick check with a x10 hand lens confirmed that I hadn't left any bits behind. It's still annoying though, as after spending several hours kneeling on the ground searching for aphids on Thursday I made a point of doing a whole body tick search when I got home. Obviously missed this one!
Tick
Tick, probably Ixodes ricinus, the Deer Tick, Sheep Tick or Castor Bean Tick, a partially engorged nymph, approximately 2.0mm long, extracted alive from my lower back after a visit to Holme Fen NNR on July 2, 2020. Image taken on July 4, 2020.
I was eating my dinner in front of the TV last night when I felt my back itching, and a fingertip exploration (or what medics always like to call a 'digital examination') immediately identified the likely source. Thankfully it was in an accessible place and came out easily, and a quick check with a x10 hand lens confirmed that I hadn't left any bits behind. It's still annoying though, as after spending several hours kneeling on the ground searching for aphids on Thursday I made a point of doing a whole body tick search when I got home. Obviously missed this one!