lone star tick

noun

|Updated on: 15 Jul 2018

Definition of lone star tick

: an ixodid tick (Amblyomma americanum) of the southern, central, and eastern U.S. that attacks mammals and birds, is a vector of several diseases (such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever and ehrlichiosis), and in which the adult female has a single white spot on the back

Recent Examples of lone star tick from the Web

The lone star tick is found in much of the eastern U.S., but is most common in the South.

— CBS News, "Red meat allergy transmitted by lone star ticks on the rise," 5 July 2018
Along with more typical varieties found in this area, such as the American dog tick and the deer tick, vets are seeing more cases involving lone star ticks, which are easily identified by the white star-like marking on their backs, Stover said.

— mike danahey, Elgin Courier-News, "Influx of ticks this spring prompts alerts from Kane County Health Department," 9 June 2018
The lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum, can transmit ehrlichiosis and tularemia.

— frank kummer, Philly.com, "New Jersey's first 'tick blitz' census shows disease-carrying pest is spreading," 6 June 2018
The second most common tick is the lone star tick, also known as the seed tick, turkey tick or deer tick.

— justin l. mack, Indianapolis Star, "Tick season: What you need to know to keep yourself, and your dog, safe," 23 May 2018
According to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, there are many species of ticks in Indiana, but the three most common are the American dog tick, lone star tick and the black-legged tick.

— justin l. mack, Indianapolis Star, "Tick season: What you need to know to keep yourself, and your dog, safe," 23 May 2018
Another tick found in Connecticut that can transmit diseases is the lone star tick.

— gregory b. hladky, courant.com, "Tick-borne Diseases In Connecticut," 6 May 2018
In Illinois, the lone star tick, the American dog tick and the deer tick carry the bacteria that causes ehrlichiosis. 5.

— elyssa cherney, chicagotribune.com, "Bug-bite diseases are on the rise nationwide: What to watch out for in Illinois," 4 May 2018
The most common type of biting ticks in Illinois are the American dog tick or as the lone star tick.

— elyssa cherney, chicagotribune.com, "Illinois among top states with for mosquito-bite diseases: CDC," 2 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lone star tick.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of lone star tick

1896

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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Medical Dictionary

lone star tick

noun \ ˈlōn-ˈstär- \

medical Definition of lone star tick

: an ixodid tick of the genus Amblyomma (A. americanum) of the southern, central, and eastern United States that attacks mammals and birds, is a vector of several diseases (as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis), and in which the adult female has a single white spot on the back