The Tick Days of Summer: A Guide to Identifying Six Common Tick Species in Maryland
- ACLT American Chestnut Land Trust
- May 28
- 7 min read
By Addie Brown, 2025-26 CCCC Member
There are many things we tend to associate with the summer season: sunny days, warm weather, blooming flowers, picnics, and adventures in our favorite natural spaces, to name a few. This season is also a busy time at ACLT, as the trails become more populated with both people and wildlife. However, with the joys of warmer weather comes a familiar nuisance: ticks.
According to the University of Maryland, there are six species of ticks active in Maryland. These include the American dog tick, blacklegged (deer) tick, brown dog tick, lone star tick, Gulf Coast tick, and the Asian longhorned tick. All of these species are capable of transmitting diseases that pose significant health risks to humans, wildlife, and livestock. The Maryland Department of Health identifies Lyme disease as the most commonly reported tick-borne illness in the state, with more than 900 cases reported in 2021. The Calvert County Department of Health also lists Lyme disease as the most prevalent tick-borne illness in the county, with other concerns including Anaplasmosis, Babesiois, Ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Tularemia. Ticks live in a variety of habitats, including the natural areas surrounding ACLT trails, making tick awareness especially important for trail users.
Adult ticks have distinct characteristics that aid in identification, while ticks in the nymph and larval stages are much smaller and more difficult to distinguish. Despite their size, these immature ticks can still transmit diseases and should not be overlooked. A tick’s life stage can be determined by its size and the number of legs it has. Larvae, about the size of a pinhead or the period at the end of a sentence, have six legs. Nymphs are roughly the size of a poppy seed and have eight legs. Adults, similar in size to a sesame seed, also have 8 legs. This post will focus specifically on adult ticks, as they are more visible and easier to identify in the field.
One notable characteristic that is present on all ticks and helps to distinguish between different species is the scutum, a shield-like structure located on the top side of the body. In adult females, nymphs, and larvae, the scutum only covers about one-third of the body, allowing room for the tick to expand while feeding. Unlike female ticks, which require large amounts of blood to produce eggs, adult males do not need as much blood. As a result, they have a scutum that covers their entire body. The scutum is especially useful for species identification, as some ticks display distinct patterns on this part of their body. Let’s take a closer look at some of the individual species you may encounter while spending time outdoors.
American Dog Tick
The first is the American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis). This species is most commonly found along forest edges and in areas with little to no tree cover. Adults are most active in April through early August and are known to feed on humans, while nymphs and larvae are active in May and June and mostly feed on rodents. Nymphs and adults can transmit pathogens that can cause Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever as well as Tularemia. Female American dog ticks can be identified by their dark brown body and a distinctive off-white patterned scutum located just behind their head. Adult males look similar, but the off-white pattern extends across the entire top side of the body.
Blacklegged Tick
Next is the blacklegged tick, also known as the deer tick (Ixodes scapularis). This species is most commonly found in deciduous forests and in the tall grasses and shrubs along forest edges.
Nymphs and larvae are most active during the summer months, typically from May through July. Adults are most active from October through May, especially when temperatures remain above freezing, as they search for their preferred host, white-tailed deer. Nymphs and adults can transmit pathogens that can cause Lyme disease, Babesiosis, and Anaplasmosis. Adult females can be identified by the black scutum just behind the head and a reddish-brown body. Males are usually smaller than the females and are entirely black.
Brown Dog Tick
The brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) primarily feeds on dogs, which is why it is most commonly found near human dwellings. This species can infest homes, animal pens, and dog kennels. Because it is often found indoors, it can remain active year-round in warm environments. This species can transmit pathogens that can cause Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever at all life stages, primarily in dogs and, in some cases, humans. Additionally, nymphs and adults can transmit pathogens that can cause Canine Ehrlichiosis and Canine Babesiosis in dogs. Adult females can be identified by their reddish-brown bodies, similar to the American dog tick, but without the distinctive off-white pattern. Males have the same coloring but are smaller in size compared to females.
Lone Star Tick
One of the most aggressive tick species found in Maryland is the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum). These ticks are most commonly found in woodlands with dense understory vegetation. Nymphs are most active from May through early August, while adults are active from April through late August. Both nymphs and adults can transmit pathogens that can cause a number of illnesses, including Ehrlichiois, Heartland bandavirus, Southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI), Bourbon virus, and Tularemia.
In some cases, a bite from a lone star tick can also lead to the development of a red meat allergy known as Alpha-gal syndrome. This occurs when the tick transfers a sugar molecule called alpha-gal, found in its saliva, into the host’s bloodstream. The host’s immune system may develop a reaction to alpha-gal, which is also present in red meat and certain other mammalian products. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 110,000 suspected cases of Alpha-gal syndrome were reported in the United States between 2010 and 2022. However, due to inconsistencies in testing and underreporting, the CDC estimates the actual number of affected individuals may be closer to 450,000. Therefore, being able to accurately identify a lone star tick is becoming increasingly important given the rising number of Alpha-gal syndrome cases. Adult females can be identified by the single white dot or “lone star” located in the center of their brown body. Adult males, on the other hand, have white spots or streaks along the outer edges of their body.
Gulf Coast Tick
The Gulf Coast tick (Amblyomma maculatum) is commonly found along the Atlantic coast and Gulf of Mexico, ranging from New Jersey to Texas. This species has also been reported in Oklahoma and Kansas, though it prefers coastal areas, often questing in prairie grass meadows and along shaded forest edges. Questing is a specific behavior in which ticks will climb to the tops of vegetation and extend their front legs, waiting to latch onto a passing host. While this species closely resembles the American dog tick, it can be distinguished by its longer mouthparts and more angular scutum. Nymphs are active from May through March, while larvae are rarely encountered, as they primarily feed on small mammals and ground-dwelling birds, unlike the adults that feed on larger hosts. Adults are most active from April through October, with peak activity in July and August. This species is capable of transmitting pathogens that can cause Rickettsia parkeri rickettsiosis, a form of spotted fever in humans that is similar to, but generally less severe than, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. It can also transmit the pathogens responsible for American canine hepatozoonosis and heartwater disease in animals.
Asian Longhorned Tick
Finally, the Asian longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis) is a relatively new species in this region. Originally, this tick was found only in the Eastern Hemisphere, in countries such as China, Japan, and New Zealand, to name a few. In 2017, however, this species was identified in several U.S. states, including New Jersey, West Virginia, Arkansas, North Carolina, New York, Pennsylvania, and Mayland. The Asian longhorned tick is considered a non-native species with the potential to become invasive. This is largely due to the fact that females can reproduce through parthenogenesis, or asexual reproduction without the presence of a male. As a result, a single female can produce up to 2,000 eggs at a time, allowing for rapid population growth and large infestations. While this species does not typically feed on humans, it does feed on wildlife and livestock. This is of particular concern, as large infestations on a single animal can sometimes lead to the death of the host. The Asian longhorned tick is often found in pastures and meadows, where it has access to livestock, its preferred host.
This species is active from March through October and can transmit pathogens that can cause Bovine theileriosis, Babesiosis, Anaplasmosis, and Ehrlichiosis. Research to determine whether this species can transmit additional pathogens to humans is ongoing. Males are rare in this species, as they are not required for reproduction. Adult females can be identified by their reddish-brown body and short, wide mouthparts. Due to its coloration, this tick is often mistaken for the lone star tick or the American dog tick. However, Asian longhorned ticks also have small “horns” surrounding their mouthparts that are only visible with a microscope.
As warm summer days approach, so do ticks. While out enjoying your favorite summer activities, it is important to follow key tick prevention practices recommended by the CDC. Wear bug repellent, avoid tick-prone habitats when possible, and perform regular tick checks after spending time outdoors. Washing clothing and showering can also help remove smaller, hard-to-see ticks. The Mayo Clinic advises saving any tick that has been attached to your body, regardless of life stage, in case symptoms of a tick-borne illness develop. A preserved tick can help medical professionals identify the species and determine appropriate treatment for potential diseases. Staying informed about the tick species in your area, knowing how to identify them, and understanding the pathogens they may carry are important steps to staying safe this summer!
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, July 27). Emerging tick bite-associated meat allergy potentially affects thousands.
Leal, B., Zamora, E., Fuentes, A., Thomas, D. B., & Dearth, R. K. (2020). Questing by tick larvae (Acari: Ixodidae): A review of the influences that affect off-host survival. Annals of the Entomological Society of America, 113(6), 425–438.
Maryland Department of Agriculture. (2018, August 7). First confirmed longhorned tick found in Maryland.
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