Quick Tick Key
| Step | Tick | Characteristics | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Soft |
Mouthparts located ventrally
 |
|
| 2 | Rhipicephalus linnaei [Rhipicephalus sanguineus] |
Bifid first coxae
 |
|
| 3 | Ixodes sp |
Anterior anal groove (I. holocyclus has a complete circle)
  |
Large mouthparts
 |
| 4 | Rhipicephalus australis [Rhipicephalus microplus] |
No anal groove
Small mouthparts
|
First leg distant from mouthparts
 |
| 5 | Haemaphysalis sp |
Posterior anal groove
Laterally projecting palps
|
First leg close to mouthparts
 |
| 6 | Other | Look at a bigger and better key! | |