Early Questing by Lone Star Tick Larvae, New York and Massachusetts, USA, 2018

Emerg Infect Dis. 2019 Aug;25(8):1592-1593. doi: 10.3201/eid2508.181293. Epub 2019 Aug 17.

Abstract

Subtropical lone star tick larvae typically emerge in late summer. We found clusters of host-seeking lone star tick larvae during early June 2018 in New York and Massachusetts, USA. Invasion and persistence of this tick in more northern locations may have been promoted by adaptation to an accelerated life cycle.

Keywords: Lone Star tick; Massachusetts; New England; New York; United States; host-seeking; parasites; phenology; ticks; vector-borne infections; zoonoses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arachnid Vectors*
  • Female
  • Ixodidae* / classification
  • Larva
  • Male
  • Massachusetts / epidemiology
  • New York / epidemiology
  • Public Health Surveillance
  • Seasons
  • Tick Infestations / epidemiology*