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Animal profile

Lone Star Tick

Amblyomma americanum

ArachnidaDense undergrowth, woodland edges and areas with deer, in warm temperate regions

Field profile

The lone star tick is an aggressive hard tick named for the single pale spot on the female's back. Unlike many ticks it actively pursues hosts over short distances. All three life stages will feed on humans.

Scope note

This is an editorial profile, not a diagnostic field-identification guide or a substitute for current conservation assessments. Follow the cited sources on each fact for the evidence trail.

Published field notes

2024-07-21

Lone Star Tick

A tick bite can cause an allergy to red meat

Bites from the lone star tick can sensitise people to galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose, a sugar present in the tissue of most non-primate mammals. The result is a delayed allergic reaction to beef, pork and lamb, arriving hours after the meal rather than minutes.

Read with evidence →

Lone Star Tick | Daily Animal Facts