Asian longhorned tick identification (Haemaphysalis longicornis)


Insect identifier · Ticks

How to identify a Asian longhorned tick

Haemaphysalis longicornis
· Also called longhorned tick, bush tick, haemaphysalis, longhorned tick identification, invasive tick usa

Asian longhorned tick identification photo

This invasive tick has spread rapidly in the eastern U.S. since 2017. Females can build huge numbers on one animal without males.

Huge numbers on one animal, reddish-brown, spreading in the East since 2017. Females can clone a crowd. Check current CDC maps. Do not assume Lyme the way you would with a deer tick. Photograph the infestation scale plus one close tick. Veterinarian for livestock and pets.

What does a asian longhorned tick look like?

Reddish-brown, inornate, short wide palps. Often many ticks on livestock, pets, or one person. Range maps change often — check current CDC/USDA maps.

Asian longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis) is Small; females can be numerous on one animal. Colors people notice: brown. Field marks: Reddish-brown, inornate; Short, wide palps giving a “horned” look under magnification; Often many ticks on livestock, pets, or one person; Newly expanding range. It is found outdoor. If those marks are missing, open Deer tick, Brown dog tick, Lone star tick before you force this name. Search phrases that belong on this page include what a asian longhorned tick looks like and asian longhorned tick identification.

Identification marks

  • Reddish-brown, inornate
  • Short, wide palps giving a “horned” look under magnification
  • Often many ticks on livestock, pets, or one person
  • Newly expanding range

Size: Small; females can be numerous on one animal
Colors: brown
Where: outdoor

What a typical asian longhorned tick bite looks like

Typical asian longhorned tick bite or sting
A typical pattern. Reactions vary. This is a guide photo, not a diagnosis.

Red, itchy bites. Heavy infestations on animals are more dramatic than typical human cases so far. Lyme is not the established story; research on pathogens is ongoing.

People searching “asian longhorned tick bite identification” want the pattern, not a single anonymous bump. Red, itchy bites; heavy infestations on animals are more dramatic than typical human cases so far. Immediate steps on this page: Remove ticks; shower and dry clothes on high heat; Report unusual numbers on livestock to a veterinarian or extension office; Monitor for fever. This species does bite or sting people. Fever, spreading redness, trouble breathing, or a child with many stings is professional care.

If you were bitten

  1. Remove ticks; shower and dry clothes on high heat
  2. Report unusual numbers on livestock to a veterinarian or extension office
  3. Monitor for fever

Asian longhorned tick vs Deer tick

Huge numbers on one cow, deer, or pet are the field clue. Looks inornate reddish-brown. Do not assume Lyme the way you would with a deer tick. Check current CDC maps — the invasion line moves.

Range and season

Warm months, multiple generations. Mid-Atlantic into the South and Midwest.

Pastures and edges in the Mid-Atlantic, South, and Midwest. Multiple generations in warm months.

Invasive and spreading in the eastern U.S. since 2017. USDA/CDC maps change often. Parthenogenetic females can build huge numbers on one host.

Warm months; multiple generations

Common questions

Is the Asian longhorned tick in my state?

Check the current CDC/USDA distribution map. It has spread rapidly through much of the Mid-Atlantic and into the South and Midwest.

Does it transmit Lyme?

It is not the established Lyme vector in the U.S. Research on pathogens is ongoing.

Why so many on one animal?

Females can reproduce without males, so populations explode on livestock and wildlife.

Is the Asian longhorned tick in the United States?

Yes. It has spread in the East since 2017. Check current CDC/USDA maps.

Does the longhorned tick spread Lyme?

It is not the established U.S. Lyme tick. Research on pathogens is ongoing.

Related identification pages