American dog tick

American dog tick is a large hard-backed tick. It occurs in the eastern United States from Maine to Georgia, west to North Dakota and central Texas. It is also common in California west of the Rocky Mountains, where it was probably introduced. It is mostly absent in between. It is found in forests, woodlands, and grassslands. It is most common in areas frequented by mammalian hosts, including roadsides, trails, and highway rest areas.

The adult female that has not fed is 3⁄16″ (5 mm) in length. After engorging on blood it can be up to ⅝″ (15 mm) long and ⅜″ (10 mm) wide. Males are smaller, ⅛″ (3.6 mm) in length.

The body is rounded, oval, and distinctly flattened . The upper (dorsal) shield (scutum) on the female

Adults are brown to reddish-brown with whitish or yellowish markings on the scutum.

Female Body Length: ⅛″ to 3⁄16″ (4.0 to 5.0 mm)

Male Body Length: ⅛″ (3.6 mm)

Froests, dense woodlands, grasslands, roadsides, trails, and other areas frequently visited by mammals.

March to November, peaking May to mid-July

Blood of most mammals

Sources

Common and abundant

Mid-May to mid-June is when this species are the most active. Careful when you go off trail.

Dermacentor variabilis (American Dog Tick)
Allen Chartier

American Dog or Wood Tick (Ixodidae: Dermacentor variabilis) Cleaning Pretarsal Claws
Carl Barrentine

An American Dog Tick (Dermacentor variabilis) and the Nicest Guy I've Ever Met
Mark Berman

Adult Female Dog Tick
precarious333

American Dog Ticks (Ixodidae: Dermacentor variabilis) Male and Female
Carl Barrentine

Wood Ticks and Deer Ticks 101
lakestv3

Lane Keller
5/21/2024

Location: Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge

Mid-May to mid-June is when this species are the most active. Careful when you go off trail.

Location: Ramsey County