Ixodes ricinus

9.9

A small tick in Europe that bites mammals, including humans, and can spread Lyme disease

noun

Specialized

: Ixodes ricinus

Researchers study Ixodes ricinus to better understand the spread of Lyme disease.

Examples

Ixodes ricinus is commonly found in wooded and grassy areas throughout Europe.
Sheep farmers monitor their flocks for ticks like Ixodes ricinus, which can transmit louping ill.
The Ixodes ricinus is commonly found in grassy areas.
Farmers need to be aware of Ixodes ricinus when treating their livestock.
Ixodes ricinus is commonly found in wooded and grassy areas throughout Europe.
Sheep farmers monitor their flocks for ticks like Ixodes ricinus, which can transmit louping ill.
Researchers study Ixodes ricinus to better understand the spread of Lyme disease.

Synonyms

sheep-tick

vsIxodes ricinus

9.9

A small parasite that sticks to sheep and other animals and can spread disease to animals and people

has a wider host range including humans and acts as a vector for disease

Surface Forms

Ixodes ricinus singular

Ixodes ricini plural

Morphology

Ixodes + ricinus

This is a Latin binomial (genus + species) rather than an idiomatic phrase; knowing 'Ixodes' (ticks) would allow a learner to infer this refers to a type of tick, but the specific sense and disease-vector information cannot be derived from the second element 'ricinus' (which is not a transparent English word) or from general vocabulary alone. Understanding the full referential meaning requires domain or taxonomic knowledge, so the connection is only partially transparent to a B1 learner.

Etymology

Ixodes ricinus may come from old Greek and Latin words. The genus name Ixodes likely means 'sticky' or 'clinging', and the species name ricinus was a Latin word used for a small parasite or 'tick', so the name paints a picture of a tiny blood-sucker that clings to animals and people.