Bug FAQAustralian Paralysis Tick
Ixodes holocyclus · Order: Ixodida · Family: Ixodidae
Also called: Scrub tick, paralysis tick
Source: Wikipedia
Adult females bite, leaving a numb, itchy lump that can last weeks. Bites are common where people and pets live near the eastern Australian coast.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
The front and rear leg pairs are darker than the middle pairs. A pear-shaped anal groove circles the anus.
Source: Wikipedia
Is it a pest in the house?
Bites on people, pets and livestock are common because the tick’s range includes densely populated areas. Pet owners should check their animals daily for ticks.
Source: Wikipedia
Does it bite or sting?
A bite from an adult female causes local numbness and an itchy lump that can last weeks. People may also experience allergic reactions or tick-borne diseases.
Source: Wikipedia
How to get rid of it
Inspect pets daily for ticks to reduce risk. A medical entomology department can confirm tick identification.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
They live in wet forests and rainforests, especially where rainfall is high.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
Larvae and nymphs can cause toxic reactions in their hosts.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
Larvae appear from late February to May, nymphs from March to October, and adults from August to February, peaking in December.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
Adult numbers peak in December but can be found any time when conditions suit, even in mid-winter.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
They occur in a narrow band along Australia’s eastern coastline, about 20 km wide.
Source: Wikipedia
Lookalikes
Similar ticks include the brown dog tick, bush tick and cattle tick.
Source: Wikipedia
More photos
Questions people ask
How can I tell this tick apart from others?
Look for darker front and rear leg pairs and a pear-shaped anal groove around the anus.
Source: Wikipedia
When are these ticks most common?
Adult numbers peak in December, but they can appear any time if conditions are right, even in winter.
Source: Wikipedia
Do they bite people or pets?
Yes, bites cause local numbness, itching and can lead to allergic reactions or disease.
Source: Wikipedia
How can I prevent ticks on my pets?
Check your pets every day for ticks and seek professional identification if needed.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Ixodidae)
American Dog TickDermacentor variabilisCan spread germs or disease
Eastern Black-legged TickIxodes scapularisCan spread germs or disease
Lone Star TickAmblyomma americanumCan spread germs or disease
Gulf Coast TickAmblyomma maculatumCan spread germs or disease
Western Black-legged TickIxodes pacificusCan spread germs or disease
Brown Dog TickRhipicephalus sanguineusCan spread germs or diseaseSources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ixodes_holocyclus
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · ITIS · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-23 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-23.