Larvae and nymphs feed on birds and small rodents, while adult ticks feed on deer and other mammals. This tick is distributed along the Pacific coast of the United States. Wild rodents and other mammals are likely reservoirs of these pathogens. The western blacklegged tick ( Ixodes pacificus) can transmit the organisms responsible for causing anaplasmosis and Lyme disease in humans. Dogs are the primary host for the brown dog tick for each of its life stages, although the tick may also bite humans or other mammals. Both nymphal and adult stages can transmit the agents of canine ehrlichiosis ( Ehrlichia canis) and canine babesiosis ( Babesia canis vogeli and Babesia gibsoni-like) to dogs.

Brown dog ticks are found throughout the U.S. rickettsii, with all life stages causing Rocky Mountain spotted fever, in the southwestern U.S. The brown dog tick ( Rhipicephalus sanguineus) has recently been identified as a reservoir of R. variabilis, although it feeds readily on other large mammals, including humans. Dogs and medium-sized mammals are the preferred hosts of adult D. variabilis larvae and nymphs feed on small rodents.

This tick is widely distributed east of the Rocky Mountains and also occurs in limited areas on the Pacific Coast. The American dog tick can also transmit tularemia. Cases of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF), ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis have also commonly been found in Iowa.įurther information addressing each species is available through Iowa State University from the Extension Store website.American dog tick ( Dermacentor variabilis) is the most commonly identified species responsible for transmitting Rickettsia rickettsii, which causes Rocky Mountain spotted fever in humans. Needing a blood meal to develop to the next developmental stage or to produce eggs, this feeding behavior also increase the chances to potentially acquire and transmit pathogens.Īt present, Lyme disease is the most prevalent tick-borne disease in Iowa, and is transmitted by deer ticks. Ticks have three life stages: larva, nymph, and adult that are most abundant in the spring and summer months. Each of these species may vary in their distribution in the state, but are all capable of transmitting disease.

Iowa is home to several tick species, including the American dog tick ( Dermacentor variabilis), the black-legged tick or deer tick ( Ixodes scapularis), and the lone star tick ( Amblyomma americanum). The information resulting from submitted tick samples will be solely used for tick surveillance purposes to better understand tick species distributions in the state. If fever or rash develop within days after removing a tick, consult a physician immediately. It should be noted that this service does not test for the presence of pathogens, we will only identify the tick to provide information regarding potential risks of tick-borne disease. Tick Surveillance Program Attn: Ryan Smith Department of Entomology 2310 Pammel Dr. Simply follow the directions and fill out the information on this tick submission form, then send the samples by mail to: We invite anyone that has found a tick on themselves, a family member, or their pet to send their tick(s) for identification. The Medical Entomology lab at Iowa State University offers a FREE tick identification service.

Tick identification