By Abby Bezrutczyk, Invasive Species Field Project and Outreach Coordinator
It was the ideal humid and overcast conditions for ticks on the day that a Gulf Coast Tick (Amblyomma maculatum) jumped onto one of our arms at a site in Sayville, NY. Our plant surveying plans were diverted to address this new creature– an aggressive insect, a bit larger than the size of a pencil eraser, with reticulated patterning on its back. While this arachnid’s range historically extended from the Gulf Coast to North Carolina, populations have been found and studied as far north as Connecticut. However, this observation in Sayville became the first detection of the species in Suffolk County, and has since been confirmed with the NYS USDA as well as the National Veterinary Services Laboratories.
Unlike the day of our Gulf Coast Tick discovery, this sampling day was extremely hot and dry. Ticks require humidity to stay alive, so in such hot conditions the majority of the population will take shelter under leaf litter, out of the reach of our flags. While we did sweep up thousands of lone star ticks, we found no additional gulf coast ticks on this survey. However, a week later, another Gulf Coast Tick was detected on Fishers Island. Whether these tick detections were independent introductions, or a signal of a larger population, is still uncertain.
But what’s the problem with another tick? Just like our abundant Lone Star, Deer, and Dog ticks, the Gulf Coast Tick can transmit disease to humans. Particularly, adult Gulf Coast Ticks have been associated with transmission of the bacterium Rickettsia parkeri to humans. This bacterium causes rickettsiosis, a type of spotted fever. This disease is considered a mild form of Rickettsia infections and is treatable. In the absence of humans, the larvae and nymphs of the gulf coast tick feed on birds and small rodents, while adult ticks feed on deer and other wildlife.
Repeat surveys for this tick will be necessary, and members of the public should always stay vigilant for ticks. Wearing tick-protective clothing, such as long, light colored pants tucked into socks and sprayed with DEET-based insect repellent can ward some off. Even more important is checking for ticks, on yourself, your pets, and children, after spending time outside. Be sure to especially check behind your knees, along your waistline, armpits, and behind your ears – ticks prefer feeding in spots that are warmer, moister, darker and where the skin is thinner. For more information about tick safety, you can visit: https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/pests/tick.htm
