Arachnid · GBIF taxon 2182727
Eastern Black-legged Tick
Ixodes scapularisAlso known as Deer Tick, Bear Tick
Black-legged ticks progress through four distinct life stages over a two-year cycle, needing a blood meal at each phase. Immature nymphs quest on low vegetation in late spring before adults climb taller stems in autumn to anchor onto white-tailed deer or other large hosts. As primary vectors for Lyme disease, these subtle parasites heavily influence human outdoor activity across eastern forests.
ParasiticDisease VectorArachnid
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- White-tailed Deer Blood
- White-footed Mouse Blood
- Human Blood
Predators
- Virginia Opossum
- Helmeted Guineafowl
- Formicid Ants
ThreatsDesiccation, extreme cold, host grooming, and habitat management
HabitatsDeciduous forests, leaf litter, tall grass, and brush
Life span2 to 3 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyIxodidae
- SpeciesIxodes scapularis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskModerate
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is moderate
- Transmits Lyme disease; inspect body and gear thoroughly after visiting wooded or grassy areas.
- Why it is dangerous
- Transmits Borrelia burgdorferi and other pathogens during prolonged feeding, causing Lyme disease, babesiosis, and anaplasmosis.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for a tiny reddish-brown body with dark black legs and scutum, expanding into a smooth gray oval when engorged.
- What to do
- Remove attached ticks immediately using fine-tipped tweezers pulled straight back, then sanitize the bite area with rubbing alcohol.
Responsible observation
- Prevention: Wear light clothing tucked into socks and apply EPA-registered tick repellent before entering brush.
- Inspection: Check warm skin folds, hair lines, and gear thoroughly immediately after returning indoors.
- Prompt Removal: Grasp the tick head close to the skin with fine tweezers and pull straight out without twisting.
Primary Host USDA photo by Scott Bauer / Public domain · cc0
Reservoir Host (c) Kristof Zyskowski, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Kristof Zyskowski · cc-by
Competitor Sam Droege / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
Competitor (c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Predator Cody Pope / CC BY-SA 2.5 · cc-by-sa
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