Lone Star Tick

Feeds on:  This very aggressive species of tick feeds on a wide variety of mammals and birds including coyotes, deer, and domestic animals, and is known to bite and transmit disease to humans.

Pathogens transmitted: human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME) caused by Ehrlichia chaffeensis, Ehrlichia ewingii, tularaemia, southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI), tick paralysis, alpha-gal syndrome red meat allergy, Heartland virus disease, Bourbon virus disease. Though less common, lone star ticks also carry and spread Coxiella burnettii induced Q-fever, Rickettsia parkeri, Rickettsia amblyommii, and Panola Mountain ehrlichiosis.