Dermacentor reticulatus belongs to the family of hard ticks and is also known as the ornate cow or dog tick, meadow tick or marsh tick. The marbled dorsal shield is characteristic of all species of the genus Dermacentor. The development of this species involves three hosts and follows the typical life cycle of ticks. While the larvae and nymphs mainly attack small mammals and rarely birds for their blood meal, the adult D. reticulatus prefer larger wild and domestic mammals. The marsh tick is particularly well known for transmitting canine malaria (Babesia canis) to dogs.

Human pathogenicity: Adult specimens can infest humans. They are considered to be carriers of Rickettsia (TIBOLA – tick-borne lymphadenitis) and Francisella tularensis (tularemia).