Ticks in United States

Lone star tick

Amblyomma americanum

Established widespread Amblyomma hard_tick United States

Widely distributed in the eastern United States and more common in the South. Reported occurrence, established populations and habitat suitability are separate evidence categories.

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An aggressive human-biting hard tick widely distributed in the eastern United States and especially common in the South. Larvae, nymphs and adults bite people.

Identification:

The adult female has a single pale or white spot near the centre of the scutum. Adult males have pale markings around the posterior margin rather than one central spot. Mouthparts are relatively long.

Hosts: Humans, White-tailed deer, Small mammals, Birds, Dogs

Habitats: Woodland, Woodland edges and trails, Grassland and shrubland

Photographs and visible features may be insufficient for definitive identification.

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Gulf Coast tick

Amblyomma maculatum

Established regional Amblyomma hard_tick United States

CDC describes primary distribution in the southeastern United States with focal northeastern, midwestern and southwestern populations.

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An ornate, aggressive human-biting hard tick found primarily in the southeastern United States, with focal populations reported in other regions.

Identification:

Adults are ornate and have long mouthparts, eyes and festoons. Females have a patterned anterior scutum; males have pale ornamentation across most of the dorsum.

Hosts: Humans, Cattle, Deer, Birds, Small mammals

Habitats: Grassland and shrubland, Woodland edges and trails

Photographs and visible features may be insufficient for definitive identification.

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Rocky Mountain wood tick

Also known as: Rocky Mountain tick

Dermacentor andersoni

Established regional Dermacentor hard_tick United States

Occurs in Rocky Mountain states and southwestern Canada, commonly at elevations reported by CDC from approximately 4,000 to 10,500 feet. This is a regional distribution statement, not a prediction of encounter risk at every location.

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A hard tick of the Rocky Mountain states and southwestern Canada. Adults are the principal stage associated with pathogen transmission to humans.

Also known as: Rocky Mountain tick

Identification:

Adults are ornate Dermacentor ticks with short mouthparts, eyes and festoons. Females have a cream-patterned anterior scutum; males show pale mottling across most of the dorsum.

Hosts: Humans, Small mammals, Large mammals, Livestock, Dogs

Habitats: Rocky Mountain rangeland, Grassland and shrubland

Photographs and visible features may be insufficient for definitive identification.

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Pacific Coast tick

Dermacentor occidentalis

Established regional Dermacentor hard_tick United States

CDC describes occurrence in coastal ranges of Oregon and California and in Baja California and Sinaloa, Mexico.

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An ornate hard tick of Pacific coastal regions of the western United States and northwestern Mexico.

Identification:

Adults are ornate Dermacentor ticks with short mouthparts, eyes and festoons. Similar Dermacentor species require expert morphological separation.

Hosts: Humans, Horses, Cattle, Deer, Rodents

Habitats: Pacific coastal scrub and woodland, Woodland edges and trails

Photographs and visible features may be insufficient for definitive identification.

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American dog tick

Also known as: Wood tick

Dermacentor variabilis

Reported widespread with established areas Dermacentor hard_tick United States

Widely distributed in the contiguous United States, with reported records across many states. CDC research distinguishes collection records from modelled suitable range and notes incomplete county-level surveillance.

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A widespread North American hard tick. Adults commonly bite dogs and humans, while larvae and nymphs feed mainly on small mammals.

Also known as: Wood tick

Identification:

Adults have short mouthparts, eyes and festoons, with pale ornamentation on the dorsal shield. Females have a pale patterned scutum at the front; males have ornamentation across most of the dorsum.

Hosts: Humans, Dogs, Small mammals, Large mammals

Habitats: Woodland edges and trails, Grassland and shrubland

Photographs and visible features may be insufficient for definitive identification.

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Asian longhorned tick

Also known as: Bush tick, Cattle tick, Scrub tick

Haemaphysalis longicornis

Introduced established Haemaphysalis hard_tick United States

Introduced and established in multiple eastern U.S. states. Official county records and establishment status should be read from current USDA surveillance.

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An invasive hard tick established in parts of the eastern United States and a major livestock concern. U.S. populations reproduce parthenogenetically.

Also known as: Bush tick, Cattle tick, Scrub tick

Identification:

Unfed stages are small and reddish-tan to dark reddish-brown. Adult females can become grey-green after feeding. Definitive identification requires expert examination.

Hosts: Humans, Cattle, Sheep, Goats, Horses

Habitats: Pasture, Grassland and shrubland, Woodland edges and trails

Photographs and visible features may be insufficient for definitive identification.

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Western blacklegged tick

Also known as: Western black-legged tick

Ixodes pacificus

Established regional Ixodes hard_tick United States

Found along the Pacific coast of the United States, particularly northern California. CDC maps separately show projected suitable habitat and counties meeting an established-population threshold.

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A Pacific coast hard tick, particularly important in northern California. Nymphs and adult females are more often reported on people, although larvae also bite humans.

Also known as: Western black-legged tick

Identification:

Adult females have a dark anterior scutum and reddish-orange posterior body when unfed. Ixodes ticks lack eyes and festoons and have an anal groove anterior to the anus. Expert examination may be needed to separate related Ixodes.

Hosts: Humans, White-tailed deer, Small mammals, Birds, Lizards

Habitats: Pacific coastal woodland, Woodland edges and trails

Photographs and visible features may be insufficient for definitive identification.

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Blacklegged tick

Also known as: Deer tick, Bear tick

Ixodes scapularis

Established widespread Ixodes hard_tick United States

Widely distributed across the eastern United States. CDC surveillance distinguishes established counties, reported records and projected suitable habitat; absence of an established designation does not prove absence.

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A widespread eastern United States hard tick and major human-biting vector. Nymphs and adult females are most often reported on people, although larvae also bite humans.

Also known as: Deer tick, Bear tick

Identification:

Adult females typically have a dark scutum and legs contrasting with an orange-red posterior body when unfed. Adult males appear more uniformly dark because the scutum covers most of the dorsum. Ixodes ticks lack eyes and festoons and have the anal groove anterior to the anus.

Hosts: Humans, White-tailed deer, Small mammals, Birds, Lizards

Habitats: Woodland, Woodland edges and trails

Photographs and visible features may be insufficient for definitive identification.

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Herms soft tick

Also known as: Relapsing fever tick

Ornithodoros hermsi

Established regional Ornithodoros soft_tick United States

Associated with mountainous areas of western U.S. states at moderate to high elevations, especially rodent-infested rustic cabins.

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A nocturnal, rapidly feeding soft tick associated with rodent nests and rustic cabins in mountainous western North America.

Also known as: Relapsing fever tick

Identification:

Soft-bodied tick without a dorsal scutum. Mouthparts are not visible from above. Nymphs and adults feed briefly, often without the person noticing.

Hosts: Humans, Rodents

Habitats: Rodent nests and rustic cabins

Photographs and visible features may be insufficient for definitive identification.

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Turicata soft tick

Ornithodoros turicata

Established regional Ornithodoros soft_tick United States

CDC associates this species with the south-central United States and caves; records also occur in Mexico.

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A rapidly feeding soft tick associated with caves and animal burrows in the south-central United States and Mexico.

Identification:

Soft-bodied tick without a dorsal scutum, with mouthparts not visible from above. Definitive species identification requires specialist examination.

Hosts: Humans, Rodents, Dogs

Habitats: Caves and animal burrows

Photographs and visible features may be insufficient for definitive identification.

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