Rospotrebnadzor assessed the likelihood of the appearance of mutant ticks in the Moscow region

African ticks of the Hyalomma genus, better known as "mutant ticks", recorded in southern Russia, are unlikely to be able to reach the Moscow region due to the climate of this area. This was announced on March 26 by Mikhail Alekseev, a leading researcher at the disinsection department (with the entomology laboratory) of the Institute of Disinfection at the F. F. Erisman National Research Medical Center of Rospotrebnadzor.

"They (the ticks. They are indeed of African origin, but they are unlikely to be able to get close to the Moscow region," he said at a press conference at TASS dedicated to the beginning of the tick activity season and measures to prevent tick—borne infections in 2026.

These insects, as the expert explained, live in forest-steppe, steppe, semi-desert territories, as well as abroad. In the Moscow region, Alekseev added, it is too humid for ticks.

Under the fly: scientists have found a safe insect repellent for humans

How a popular medicinal plant will help landscape designers

On March 19, biologist Dmitry Safonov, speaking about the spread of mutant ticks in the Volgograd, Rostov and Astrakhan regions, described their appearance. According to him, the legs of the insects, also found in Stavropol, Krasnodar Territory, Kalmykia and the republics of the Caucasus, are covered with stripes, which is why they are also called "zebras". In addition, representatives of the Hyalomma species are significantly larger than their ordinary relatives.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.