Common Ticks of the Southeast
Throughout the southeastern United States there are five species of ticks that are commonly encountered but several more that live in this range. Below we list the species of tick, it’s common name, and diseases each tick species is known to vector.
Lone Star Tick
Amblyomma americanum
Blacklegged Tick
Ixodes scapularis
American Dog Tick
Dermacentor variabilis
Known Vector Of
Associated with
Known Vector Of
Known Vector Of
Gulf Coast Tick
Amblyomma maculatum
Brown Dog Tick
Rhipicephalus sanguineus
Asian Longhorned Tick
Rhipicephalus sanguineus
Known Vector Of
Known Vector Of
Tested Positive For
- Not currently known to vector pathogens to humans in the United States (US) The Asian longhorned tick was first found in the US in 2017. Since then, researchers have been working to understand the dynamics of this tick from where it can be found in the US to the risk it may be to humans and other animals. Click here to learn more about the Asian longhorned tick on the CDC’s website
Tick Life Cycles
Ticks of different life stages and species can be different sizes especially if they are engorged from a blood meal.
Here is an example of the blacklegged tick life cycle over several seasons
Here is an example of the brown dog ticks life cycle and the transmission of Rickettsia rickettsii which causes Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
