Amblyomma americanum

Lonestar ticks are widely distributed in the eastern United States, but more common in the South. These ticks are most often encountered in brushy areas. Click here to see the geographic distribution of ticks that bite humans in the United States.

Figure 1: Known distribution of Amblyomma americanum (Lone Star tick) in Indiana, 2017-2023.

Figure 2: Lone Star tick habitat

Photo: Indiana Department of Health

All life stages of Lone Star ticks can feed on humans. The Lone Star tick life cycle consists of four stages (egg, larva, nymph and adult) and usually takes two years to complete. These ticks are known to be aggressive feeders and will pursue many different species of animals for a blood meal. Most Lone Star tick activity occurs in spring and summer. Understanding seasonal activity, or phenology, of vector species is important to determining seasonality of disease risk.

• Ehrlichiosis
• Tularemia
• Heartland virus
• Bourbon virus
• Southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI)

The best way to prevent diseases associated with Lone Star ticks is to avoid tick bites. Please see our tick prevention page for more information.

Please visit the Midwest Center of Excellence in Vector-Borne Disease webpage for more information about Lone Star ticks.

Adult female Lone Star tick (left) with adult male (center) and nymph (right). Photo: Indiana Department of Health.

Female Lone Star tick (Amblyomma americanum). Photo: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Male Lone Star tick (Amblyomma americanum). Photo: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.