06/05/2026
Meet the Tick: Lone Star Tick Edition ⭐
🏷️ Name: Lone Star Tick
🔬 Scientific Name: Amblyomma americanum
🔍 How to Spot It
Adult females have a distinctive white dot on their backs
Adult males have scattered white markings around the edges of their backs
Aggressive biters that actively seek hosts
📍 Found in Illinois?
✅ Yes! Lone Star ticks are present in Illinois and have become increasingly common in many parts of the state.
⚠️ Why They Matter
Lone Star ticks have been associated with:
Ehrlichiosis
Tularemia
Alpha-gal syndrome (a red meat allergy linked to tick bites)
🛡️ Fight the Bite
Reduce your chances of a tick bite by:
✔ Using EPA-registered insect repellent
✔ Wearing long sleeves and long pants in tick habitat
✔ Performing a full-body tick check after spending time outdoors
✔ Checking children and pets for ticks
✔ Showering soon after coming indoors
💡 Did You Know?
Unlike some tick species that wait for hosts to pass by, Lone Star ticks can actively move toward people and animals after detecting body heat, movement, and carbon dioxide.