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Gulf Coast tick

Tick ID, CDC Gulf Coast tick photo

Gulf Coast tick

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Gulf Coast tick

Amblyomma maculatum

Distribution

This hard tick is found in coastal areas of the US along the Atlantic coast and the Gulf of Mexico, extending inland to Kansas and Oklahoma.

Hosts

Larvae and nymphs feed on primarily on birds and small rodents, while adult ticks feed on deer and other wildlife. This tick, in both immature and adult life stage, will readily feed on humans.

Vector Status

This Gulf Coast tick transmits Rickettsia parkeri rickettsiosis, a form of spotted fever. Adult ticks have been associated with transmission of R. parkeri to humans.

Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

University of Florida- Entomology and Nematology Department

Gulf Coast tick

Tick ID, CDC Gulf Coast tick photo
CDC photo, Gulf coast tick, adult female

Gulf Coast tick distribution in US: 2019

This map is not meant to represent risks for a specific tick-borne disease, because disease transmission is influenced by multiple factors beyond mere tick presence. This map has been designed to answer the question “What ticks should I be concerned about at a regional scale?” Please consult a local public health authority or USDA Agricultural Extension Office to determine more specific information at the state, county, or municipal level. Background data for this map is from the US National Atlas. Naturally occurring populations of the Gulf Coast tick are not known to occur in Alaska or Hawaii.