Community identification
Blackberry Tick or Seed Tick
Amblyomma americanum (larval stage)
- Order & Family
- Ixodida: Ixodidae
- Size
- 0.5mm to 1mm (approx. the size of a poppy seed)
Natural Habitat
Tall grass, low-growing vegetation, and wooded areas.
Diet & Feeding
Blood of birds, mammals, and occasionally humans.
Behavior Patterns
Larvae (seed ticks) often gather in large clusters of hundreds or thousands; they quest for hosts by waiting on vegetation to latch on.
Risks & Benefits
Potential vector for diseases such as STARI (Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness) and Ehrlichiosis; can cause intense itching and localized reactions.