Which tick is commonly called the Lone Star tick?

Which tick is commonly called the Lone Star tick?

• A. Dermacentor variabilis
• B. Ixodes scapularis
• C. Rhipicephalus sanguineus
• D. Amblyomma americanum

Answer: (D)

The Lone Star tick is named for a distinctive marking on the female’s back—a single pale white spot on the scutum that resembles a lone star. That clear visual cue identifies Amblyomma americanum as the Lone Star tick. This species is common in the southeastern United States and has been spreading northward. It’s a known vector for diseases such as ehrlichiosis and tularemia, and bites have been linked in some cases to alpha-gal meat allergy. The other ticks listed—Dermacentor variabilis, Ixodes scapularis, and Rhipicephalus sanguineus—have different common names and lack the lone-star marking. Dermacentor variabilis is the American dog tick with ornate patterns, Ixodes scapularis is the black-legged or deer tick, and Rhipicephalus sanguineus is the brown dog tick.

The Lone Star tick is named for a distinctive marking on the female’s back—a single pale white spot on the scutum that resembles a lone star. That clear visual cue identifies Amblyomma americanum as the Lone Star tick.

This species is common in the southeastern United States and has been spreading northward. It’s a known vector for diseases such as ehrlichiosis and tularemia, and bites have been linked in some cases to alpha-gal meat allergy. The other ticks listed—Dermacentor variabilis, Ixodes scapularis, and Rhipicephalus sanguineus—have different common names and lack the lone-star marking. Dermacentor variabilis is the American dog tick with ornate patterns, Ixodes scapularis is the black-legged or deer tick, and Rhipicephalus sanguineus is the brown dog tick.