Ticks are eight-legged arachnids that feed on the blood of their hosts, including humans and pets. Approximately 900 species of ticks inhabit the world, with new tick types emerging. Although ticks with Lyme disease are of primary importance to public health, ticks carry various other bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Ticks are found in all 50 states and in urban and rural areas. Although different types of ticks carry different diseases that impact human health, research is emerging.
Blacklegged Tick (Ixodes scapularis)
Also referred to as deer ticks, blacklegged ticks display an orange-red body, a black shield, and black legs. The blacklegged tick population has grown throughout the United States and is prevalent in Florida. They are known to carry diseases such as Lyme disease, babesiosis, tick-borne relapsing fever, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, Powassan virus, and may be an agent of transmission for bartonellosis.
Lone Star Tick (Amblyomma americanum)
The lone star tick is the most prevalent tick in Florida, and one of the most aggressive tick types in the United States. Both the male and the female ticks are dark brown, but the adult female has a white dot (or lone star) on the back. Lone star ticks are found in the Southeast, Eastern, and South Central parts of the country. In recent years, they have become prevalent in the Northeast. Lone star ticks are known to transmit diseases such as Ehrlichiosis, human monocytotropic ehrlichiosis, Anaplasmosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, rickettsiosis, tularemia, Heartland virus, Bourbon virus, Q fever, tick paralysis, STARI (Southern tick-associated rash illness), potentially Lyme disease, other borrelia strains, and can cause alpha-gal syndrome (mammal protein allergy).
Western Black Legged Tick (Ixodes pacificus)
These ticks have a reddish body with a black shield and black legs. It is the most prevalent in California, and can also be found in Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Nevada and Utah. These ticks are known to transmit Lyme disease, Borrelia miyamotoi disease (relapsing fever Borreliosis), Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, and Anaplasmosis. It also is suspected of transmitting Bartonella to humans.
Groundhog Tick (Ixodes cookei)
Also known as a woodchuck tick, groundhog ticks are light tan, and females have lozenge-shaped, brown shields on their backs. They are about the size of a sesame seed, making them similar in appearance to deer ticks.The groundhog tick is primarily found in the Eastern portion of the United States and can transmit Powassan virus.
American Dog Tick (Dermacentor variabilis)
They’re widely dispersed east of the Rocky Mountains and in some areas along the West Coast. They are known to carry Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia.
Pacific Coast Tick (Dermacentor occidentalis)
The Pacific Coast tick is a dark, spotty black-brown color found throughout California and the Pacific Coast. They can transmit diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, Colorado tick fever, and Pacific Coast tick fever.
Rocky Mountain Wood Tick (Dermacentor andersoni)
The Rocky Mountain wood tick is reddish-brown like an American dog tick, but it’s slightly larger in size and shape. Females have silver-gray shields on their backs.They are typically found in the Rocky Mountain states and Southwestern Canada at higher elevations of 4,000 to 10,500 feet. They are known to transmit diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Colorado tick fever, tularemia, and can cause tick paralysis.
