Tick Identification

Among the 16 tick species in Virginia, only a few species commonly bite people.

How do I identify a tick?

Ticks can be identified by looking at certain characters (like the shape of their mouthparts and their scutum) along with colors and patterning.

If you start to become sick after a tick bite, knowing what type of tick it was may help you and your healthcare team discuss testing and treatment options.

You can send your tick to VDH for identification through the tick survey program: Virginia Tick Survey

American Dog Tick

The American Dog tick can be found throughout Virginia and can carry Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which can affect both humans and dogs. Although similar to the Gulf Coast tick, they can be distinguished by their short, rounded mouthparts.

Risk Characteristics

The adult female American Dog Tick most commonly transmits disease to people. Adults are most active from the early spring to mid-summer. American Dog Ticks prefer sunny and open areas with less tree cover such as edges of trails, fields with medium-height grass, or shrubby overgrown areas.

Possible Diseases

Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Tularemia, Rickettsia parkeri, and tick paralysis.

Blacklegged Tick

The Blacklegged tick, also called the deer tick, is a tick of major public health importance for spreading Lyme Disease in Virginia and the Eastern U.S. The male ticks are dark brown or black in color and resemble a small watermelon seed. The females are red-brown behind their black scutum (shield) that is just behind their head (on the tick’s back).

Risk Characteristics

It is the nymphal stage of the Blacklegged tick that most commonly transmits diseases to people. Nymphs are very small (are less than 1/16th inch long) and are most active during late spring and early summer. Adult blacklegged ticks have been known to bite people much less frequently, but still pose a risk to people for disease transmission during the fall, winter (on warmer winter days) and during the early spring. Blacklegged ticks may be found in suburban forests in the coastal piedmont and mountain regions of Virginia, but are most common in suburban forests where deer are common, particularly in higher elevation mountain locations. Blacklegged ticks do not tolerate the hot summers in Virginia’s lowland areas. Their preferred habitat is in among leaf litter or vegetation on the forest floor. These ticks are most commonly found in shady suburban forests areas. A few can also be found on Virginia’s Eastern Shore and Coastal areas cooled by ocean breezes.

Possible Diseases

Lyme, Borrelia miyamotoi, Anaplasmosis, Powassan virus, and Babesiosis

Lone Star Tick

The Lone Star tick can be found throughout Virginia but usually lives in areas below 1,600 ft. in elevation. This tick is an aggressive biter and has the potential to transmit serious diseases such as ehrlichiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and can cause Alpha-gal Syndrome. The adult female is best recognized by a white dot, or “lone star,” on the center of her back.

Risk Characteristics

The adult female and the nymph stage ticks transmit disease to humans more often than adult males. The nymph stage ticks are active from late spring through mid-summer while the adults are most active late winter to early summer. Lone star ticks are often found in leaf litter on the forest floor or in partly shaded grass. In Virginia, Lone Star ticks have are common in Virginia’s coastal regions and in Virginia’s Piedmont regions, up to elevations of about 1,600 ft.

Possible Diseases

Ehrlichiosis, Tularemia, Southern-Tick Associated Rash Illness (STARI), Heartland Virus Disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Rickettsia parkeri, and Alpha-gal Syndrome.

Gulf Coast Tick

The Gulf Coast tick is more commonly found along Virginia's coastline, and they are an important vector in transmitting Rickettsia parkeri, which is one of the Spotted Fever Rickettsioses. Although they appear similar to American Dog ticks, they can be distinguished by their long, rectangular mouthparts.

Risk Characteristics

This tick, along with the lone star tick, is known for its aggressive host-seeking behavior and can deliver a painful bite. They are most commonly found along the coastal regions of Virginia.

Possible Diseases

A known vector of Rickettsia parkeri which is a type of Spotted Fever Rickettsioses, also called Western Tidewater Fever.

There is still a lot to learn about ticks, and there may be other kinds of ticks that may bite people.

Occasionally, other types of ticks may end up on or biting people. The Virginia Department of Health is working closely with federal, state, and academic partners to understand the public health risks associated with these other ticks.

Last Updated: May 12, 2026