Black-legged Tick; Deer Tick
Scientific Name: Ixodes scapularis
Order & Family: Order: Ixodida; Family: Ixodidae
Size: Unfed larvae are less than 1 mm; nymphs are about 1-2 mm; adult males are about 2-3 mm; adult females are about 3-5 mm (unfed) and can engorge to over 10 mm after feeding.
Natural Habitat
Wooded areas, tall grasses, brush, and leaf litter. They are often found in transitional zones between forests and open fields.
Diet & Feeding
Strictly hematophagous (blood-feeding) at all active life stages (larva, nymph, and adult). They feed on a variety of hosts, including rodents, birds, deer, and humans.
Behavior Patterns
Black-legged ticks undergo a complex life cycle involving four stages: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. Each active stage (larva, nymph, adult) requires a blood meal to molt to the next stage or, for adult females, to lay eggs. They are known for 'questing' behavior, where they climb onto vegetation and wait for a host to pass by. They are not active hunters, but rather ambush predators.
Risks & Benefits
Potential risks: Primary vector for Lyme disease (caused by Borrelia burgdorferi), anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and Powassan virus in humans. Their bites are generally painless, leading to delayed discovery. No significant direct benefits to humans, but as part of the ecosystem, they are a food source for some predators and contribute to the natural food web.
Identified on: 8/23/2025