What is the scientific name of the lone star tick?

The scientific name of the lone star tick is Amblyomma americanum.

The species name was established by Carl Linnaeus in 1758, when it was described under the earlier name Acarus americanus. The modern combination places it in Amblyomma, a genus of hard ticks in the family Ixodidae. The name “lone star tick” refers to the silvery-white spot on the female’s back, not to the state of Texas.

Adult females usually have one conspicuous central spot, while males have pale markings around the edge of the scutum. The species is widespread across the eastern, southeastern, and parts of the midwestern United States, as well as Mexico. It is an aggressive, generalist feeder; larvae, nymphs, and adults use different hosts during a three-host life cycle.

Amblyomma americanum is associated with ehrlichiosis, tularemia, and other infections. Its bite can also trigger alpha-gal syndrome, a delayed allergy to mammalian meat. It is often confused with Ixodes scapularis, the blacklegged or deer tick, but the two are different species with different markings and disease associations.