Asian Longhorned Tick Can Breed Alone

The Asian longhorned tick is a relatively new species of tick in the United States. At present, its population is relatively low here, however, that could change quite significantly because these little critters don’t even need to find a mate to breed!

Invasive tick that can reproduce without mating has been found in East Tennessee

There’s a new kind of creepy-crawly to look out for in East Tennessee this summer. The invasive Asian longhorned tick, which can reproduce without mating, has been found on animals in Union, Roane and Knox counties.  The parasite was first discovered about two years ago on sheep in New Jersey. There are no reports of the tick farther south than Tennessee. It has also popped up in Arkansas, Connecticut, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Only recently, the Asian longhorned tick has taken its first taste of the United States.  Here’s a video with some more information about this particular pest.

This tick is not yet known to transmit any harmful diseases in the United States, but it has been recorded in other parts of the world. Here are a few things you should know:-

5 Things to Know About the New Tick Species in the US

A tick species that’s native to Asia has now spread to the United States, and it’s popping up in numerous places along the East Coast, according to U.S. officials. The newfound tick, known as the longhorned tick or Haemaphysalis longicornis, was first identified in the U.S. last year, when it was found on a sheep in New Jersey, according to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture. Now, it’s spread to six other states: New York, Virginia, West Virginia, Arkansas, North Carolina and, most recently, Pennsylvania.

Although this tick has not yet spread anything nasty, there are many other ticks that can transmit infectious diseases that can be serious and even life-threatening. Please make sure you are protected from ticks at all times. Wear appropriate clothing, use repellent, invest in tick control and thoroughly check your body (and also your pets if you have them) for any hitchhiking ticks.