Ticks, Eastern US - Black-legged tick Ixodes scapularis - Lone
star tick Amblyomma americanum - American dog tick Dermacentor
variabilis - Brown dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus The black-
legged tick (Ixodes scapularis), also known as the deer tick, is
a small tick without white markings. The abdomen of the female
appears reddish. It is the principal vector of Borrelia
burgdorferi, the Lyme disease spirochete (type of bacterium) in
the northeastern United States. Ticks must remain attached to
the host for at least 24 hours in order to pass this pathogen to
the host. The early signs of the disease usually show up as a
rash at the bite site followed by flu-like symptoms. Untreated
cases may lead to arthritic conditions and possible neurological
problems. Medical care should be sought when a person is bitten
by a deer tick or exhibits Lyme disease symptoms. The American
dog tick (Dermacenter variabilis), is larger than a deer tick
and the unengorged female has a whitish shield on its back. This
tick readily att