Ornithodorus megnini

Synonyms

Otobius megnini.

This soft tick species, known as thorny ear-tick, is found on ruminants in Africa and America, but also on rodents (and wild rabbits). The intensive constant itching and the reaction on poisonous compounds of the saliva lead to reduction of food uptake. Only the nymphs possess the name-giving thorns at their surface. In livestock animals the ticks are seen up to 7 months and larger amounts must be taken out surgically, since they may induce enormous ear pain, named otobiasis. Small numbers or just single-tick stages can be killed by oils inoculated into the ear. In North America O. lagophilus is found especially on rabbits.