Species profileUnited States

What is Amblyomma americanum?

Amblyomma americanum is the lone star tick, an aggressive human-biting tick found widely in the eastern, southern and midwestern United States.

Reviewed by VuxLore® Knowledge Team For Everyone

Short answer

Amblyomma americanum is the lone star tick, an aggressive human-biting tick found widely in the eastern, southern and midwestern United States.

The adult female has a single pale spot, but males and immature stages do not show the same simple lone-star mark.

• Only the adult female has the obvious single spot.

• Nymphs also commonly bite people.

• The species is associated with ehrlichiosis and alpha-gal syndrome.

Adult males have pale markings around the edge of the scutum, while larvae and nymphs are smaller and plainer. Expert comparison may be needed.

CDC links the species with ehrlichiosis, tularemia, Heartland and Bourbon viruses, STARI and growing evidence of alpha-gal syndrome.