Bioecology of ticks causing the most important pathology in France

Ticks transmit many pathogens due to their hemophagic behavior during the 3 stages of their development. The principal tick-borne diseases in France are carried by 4 species. Argas reflexus lives in close proximity to pigeons. Ixodes ricinus is found in humid environments, particularly forests. Dermacentor reticulatus is found in a wide variety of habitats, such as degraded urban and suburban environments and, in rural environment, places such as prairies, heath... Rhipicephalus sanguineus, totally adapted to canine hosts on which all 3 development stages take place, is found mostly in the south Mediterranean ans Southern-West.