TickCheck™ tick identification
The TickCheck Tick Identification Guide
Did you just find a tick on yourself or a loved one? TickCheck can test your tick and determine whether it carries the bacteria that transmit Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections.
Test My Tick NowThere are hundreds of tick species throughout North America. Many rarely encounter people, while others commonly live in places frequented by people and pets. The species most often encountered include the deer tick, American dog tick, lone star tick, brown dog tick, and western blacklegged tick. Their appearance and geographic ranges can help distinguish them.
Ticks pass through four life stages: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. Larvae, nymphs, and adults take blood meals and may acquire pathogens while feeding. A tick's life stage, sex, and species can be difficult to determine by sight, especially for immature ticks.
Identifying Tick Species
The following photographs show adult ticks. Select a species to learn more about its appearance, range, and behavior.
Deer Tick
Ixodes scapularis
Small blacklegged tick common in the eastern United States and upper Midwest.
Western Blacklegged Tick
Ixodes pacificus
A small blacklegged tick found along the Pacific coast.
Lone Star Tick
Amblyomma americanum
The adult female is recognized by the pale spot on her back.
Brown Dog Tick
Rhipicephalus sanguineus
A reddish-brown tick that primarily feeds on dogs.
American Dog Tick
Dermacentor variabilis
A larger tick with an ornate, pale-marked shield.
Identifying Tick Life Stages
Larvae
Larval ticks are extremely small and have six legs. Larvae of different species can look alike and may require microscopic examination by a professional to identify.
Nymphs
Nymphs have eight legs and a dorsal shield. Nymphs of common species are difficult to distinguish by eye, and laboratory identification may be needed.
Adults
Adults have eight legs, visible mouthparts, and species-specific body color, shield markings, and festoons. These features can help with identification.
Identifying Male and Female Ticks
The dorsal shield can help distinguish adult males from females. In males, it generally covers most of the back; in females, it covers only a smaller area near the head. The exact pattern differs by species.
A tick attached to a person or pet is often a female because female ticks take a blood meal. If you are unsure of the tick's identity, a laboratory can examine it during testing.
Explore the anatomy of a female deer tick
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