Entomology Fact Sheet
Common Ticks of Virginia

Publication Number 444-271, posted March, 1998


Author: Eric R. Day, Department of Entomology, Virginia Tech

Table of Contents

Distribution and Hosts Control
Description of Disease Remarks
Identification References
Life History Pictorial key

Distribution and Hosts

The four most common ticks in Virginia that are encountered by humans are the lone star tick, the American dog tick, the brown tick, and the deer tick. The lone star tick is found predominately east of the Blue Ridge mountains. The American dog tick is found predominately west of the Blue Ridge mountains. The brown dog tick can be found throughout Virginia but tends to be uncommon. The deer tick is uncommon also and is found primarily in the northern and eastern sections of Virginia.

Return to Table of Contents

Description of Disease

The brown dog tick is not known to carry any disease in Virginia. Both the lone star tick and the American dog tick are potential carriers of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF). The deer tick is a potential vector of Lyme disease and has been implicated in the transmission of ehrlichiosis. In any case of suspected tick transmitted disease, consult with a physician.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever A tick needs to be attached for four to six hours in order to transmit RMSF to its human host. The first symptoms noticed are usually severe headache, chills, fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and other flu-like symptoms. These first symptoms usually start 2 to 12 days after the tick bite. By the third day after the bite, a red rash develops on the wrists and ankles, in most cases, and often spreads to the entire hand or foot. A blood test is needed to confirm the disease, and early use of antibiotics has a very high rate of cure.

Lyme Disease Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi, initially develops as an oblong rash, usually 2 or more inches in size, with a clear center that develops at the site of the tick bite, although only 70% of people develop this symptom. At a later time people usually develop flu-like symptoms such as nausea, headache, fever, and general stiffness of the neck joints. Chronic symptoms of a small percentage of untreated people include arthritis and nervous system complications.

Return to Table of contents

Identification

All ticks have eight legs in the adult stage, but have six legs as newly hatched larvae. Small ticks of all species are called seed ticks, a common name that does not refer to one particular species. Important characteristics for identification are indicated in the Pictorial key. The American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis (see Pictorial key), is about 5 mm long with short stout mouthparts. It is dark brown with light wavy lines or reticulations on its back.

The lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum (see Pictorial key), is about 5 mm in length or less with long mouthparts. It is light reddish-brown with a central white spot on the back of most of the adults.

The brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus (see Pictorial key), is about 5 mm long with short stout mouthparts. It is distinguished from the American dog tick by its dark reddish-brown color and lack of any white markings.

The deer tick, Ixodes scapularis* (see Pictorial key), is a small tick about 2-3 mm in length with long mouthparts. It is off-white or reddish when fed and has black legs.

* the deer tick until recently was known as Ixodes dammini.

Return to Table of Contents

Life History

Ticks pass through three feeding stages: the larva, nymph, and adult. Typically, each stage feeds on a different host. Hosts include a variety of animals (i.e., mice, rabbits, deer), and each stage of the tick has a different host depending on the life stage. Humans are accidental hosts that are not part of the tick's natural life cycle. After feeding on a host, a tick becomes engorged with blood and drops from the host. Once in a protected place, immature ticks molt to the next stage, and adult females produce eggs after their final blood meal.

Return to Table of Contents

Control

The following methods of prevention are recommended by the Virginia Department of Health.

Ticks are best removed with tweezers or by wrapping the tick in tissue paper and pulling out with fingers. Do not twist or jerk, and pull slowly to avoid leaving the mouthparts in the wound. Do not use nail polish, petroleum jelly, alcohol, or hot matches to remove the tick. Wash the wound with an antiseptic after the tick is removed. Kill the tick in rubbing alcohol and keep it in a small vial for a few months in case any disease symptoms develop.

Return to Table of Contents

Remarks

Ticks cannot fly or jump

Return to Table of Contents

References

Anonymous, 1993, Preventing Tick Borne Diseases in Virginia, Virginia Department of Health, Office of Epidemiology, Richmond, Virginia

Pratt, H. D. 1961. Ticks: Pictorial Key to Some Common Species. United States Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia.

Sonenshine, D. E., 1979. Ticks of Virginia. The Insects of Virginia: No. 13. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Return to Table of Contents

DISCLAIMER Commercial products are named in this publication for informational purposes only. Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, and Virginia State University do not endorse these products or intend discrimination against other products that also may be suitable.

Visit Virginia Cooperative Extension