Deer Bear Tick

Introduction

The common name blacklegged refers to their dark legs, which are in contrast to the paler body and that of deer because the preferred adult host is the white-tailed deer; in the Midwest, it is called the deer tick. This tick is of medical importance because it is an important vector of Lyme disease. Blacklegged ticks primarily are found in Mexico.

Recognition

Color is orangish brown except for the legs, mouthparts and scutum dark reddish brown but abdomen darker when engorged; male body reddish brown overall. Scutum present. Longer than wide, almost completely covering dorsum in male. Eyes lacking. Capitulum/mouthparts are visible from above; hypostome with apex sharply pointed. Coxa 1 will internal spur overlapping coxa 11. Abdomen with anal groove in front of anus; lacking abdominal festoons.

Habits

Blacklegged/deer ticks climb grass and shrubs to wait for a passing host, and move very little laterally. They concentrate on vegetation located in transitional areas such as where forest meets field, mowed lawn meets unmowed fence line, a foot trail through high grass of a forest, etc. Because these transitional areas or edge habitats are where most animals travel sometime each 24-hour period, this is where the ticks are most likely to acquire a host.

The other habitat most likely to harbor ticks is the den, nest, or nesting area of its host, such as that of skunks, raccoons, opossums, but especially the white-footed mouse. The white-footed mouse prefers woody or brushy areas. It nests in any place that gives shelter, such as below ground, in stumps, logs, old bird or squirrel nests, woodpiles, buildings, etc.