NEVBD

The Asian longhorned tick is native to East Asia, and has spread to Australia and New Zealand. In the United States, these ticks have been documented in at least 12 states, mostly along the east coast. You can access updated maps on the distribution of the Asian longhorned tick by visiting invasivespeciesinfo.gov.

We are still investigating what habitats these ticks prefer in the United States. In other areas around the world where this tick lives, it tends to live in meadows and grassy areas near forests.

The Asian longhorned tick is a major livestock pest. It can transmit bovine theileriosis and babesiosis infection in animals.

Asian longhorned ticks are considered a possible vector for Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus (SFTSV), which is an emerging infectious disease in China. Asian longhorned ticks collected in Asia have also been found carrying pathogens that are similar to some of those that occur in the US, like the bacteria that cause anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis, the parasite that causes babesiosis, and the Powassan virus.

The CDC has been evaluating what pathogens in the United States this tick can become infected with and transmit. Results of their work are highlighted below:

• Asian longhorned tick unlikely to contribute to Lyme disease transmission in the US
• Asian longhorned tick can aquire and transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever in the laboratory setting

The Asian longhorned tick is considered a major livestock pest. Researchers are still evaluating the best approaches to controlling this tick in the United States. Here are some resources for learning more about this tick:

• How-To Video on Checking Cattle for Ticks from the University of Tenessee
• Information for Livestock and Pet Owners factsheet from the USDA
• Asian Longhorned Tick Project from Tenessee Ticks
• Insect Control for Horses, Horse Barns, and Stables from University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service
• NEVBD Fact Sheet on the Asian longhorned tick

Visit the CDC website on Preventing Ticks on Your Pets to learn more.

• Videos and Micrographs of the Asian longhorned tick, developed by Phurchhoki Sherpa, MS

• Haemaphysalis longicornis colony available from CDC through BEI Resources

• The Asian longhorned tick interactive site from USDA APHIS

• The Asian longhorned tick CDC factsheet