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Gulf Coast Tick

Scientific name: Amblyomma maculatum

⭐️ A frequent human biter

Historically, the Gulf Coast tick was restricted to the southeastern U.S. states. Adults of this species are aggressive human biters and they can transmit pathogens that result in tick-borne diseases, some of which affect companion animals. Established populations of this tick have just been documented in New Jersey. Understanding the distribution of this tick species in NJ is one of the objectives of the NJ Ticks 4 Science! project.

Hosts

Gulf Coast ticks feed on small to large mammals and birds as well as wild and domestic mammals such as deer, cattle, and pets (dogs and cats). Adults are the life stage most likely to bite people.

Habitat

Open pastures, grassland environments (even mowed fields) and old fields undergoing succession to forests near wetlands. In the Northeast, many collections of Gulf Coast ticks have been in large bird sanctuaries in repurposed landfills near rivers and estuaries.

Locations in NJ

In 2013-14, established populations of Gulf Coast ticks were detected in Delaware and more recently (2021, 2022) in Connecticut, Staten Island, New York City and near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In June 2022 an established population was also found in southern NJ (Salem Co.). We ask NJ residents to send us any ticks they encounter so we may pinpoint other populations of this dangerous tick species.

Active Months

In Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware, adult Gulf Coast ticks occur from May through October in the environment. Nymphs and larvae are collected rarely and usually occur in the Fall.