Tick species sampled on this project

American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis)

Adults bite humans. Larvae and nymphs are active in the late winter and spring, and adults are active in the late spring and early summer.

Habitat: Occurs in Eastern and South-central United Sates. Typically found on uncut grass along trails in the woods, sometimes also encountered in or around playgrounds and dog parks. 

Transmits: Rocky mountain spotted fever and Tularemia

Lyme disease tick (Ixodes scapularis)

All stages (larvae, nymphs and adults) bite humans. Larvae are active during summer. Nymphs are active in late spring to early summer. Adults are active in early spring and fall.


Habitat: Occurs in Eastern, South-central and Midwestern United States. Typically found on uncut grass and leaf litter along trails in the woods.

Transmits: Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis and Powassan virus

Lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum)

All stages bite humans. Larvae are active in late summer. Nymphs and adults are active in late spring. 

Habitat: Occurs in Southeastern and Eastern United States. Typically found on uncut grass and leaf litter along trails in the woods. 

Transmits: Heartland virusHuman ehrichiosis, Tularemia and STARI

 

Content Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Indiana State Department of Health-Zoonotic & Vector-borne Disease Home

Purdue Extension Entomology-Purdue University