Hyalomma rufipes of Asian origin transported to Europe by a migrant bird.

Abstract

Hyalomma rufipes is one of the most epidemiologically important ticks in Africa and the Middle East. It is regularly transported by migratory birds and there are chances that these ticks may become sources for the emergence of resident populations in the temperate region due to recent changes in climatic conditions. In May 2023, a Hylomma sp. nymph was collected in SE Romania from a long-distance migrant host, the Pied Wheatear (Oenanthe pleschanka) with known migratory route. The tick was identified morphologically and genetically as H. rufipes and based on the timing of the migratory track it attached to its avian host in Saudi Arabia, the Middle East. This is the first ever H. rufipes recorded in Europe with known Middle Eastern/Asian origin.