Lone Star Tick Map 2026
Range, northward spread, and disease risk for the most aggressive tick in America. Check your ZIP for live local activity.
Where are lone star ticks found in 2026?
Lone star ticks are the dominant tick species across 18 states in the Southeast, mid Atlantic, and south central US in 2026, and are established in 10 more, including New York and southern New England. Their range keeps expanding north as winters warm. The state lists below link to live local forecasts.
2026 lone star tick range by state
Presence tiers below are derived from the same state species data that powers every MyWild state forecast. Click any state for its live tick activity map and Lyme risk profile.
Dominant (18 states)
The lone star tick is the most commonly encountered tick in these states, outnumbering deer ticks in most habitats.
Established (10 states)
Breeding populations are present and reported regularly, though the deer tick remains the primary species. This tier includes the northern expansion frontier.
The northward spread
Twenty years ago the lone star tick was considered a southern species. Today it is established through the mid Atlantic, across Long Island, up the Connecticut coast, and into Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Two forces drive the expansion: milder winters that no longer knock back overwintering populations, and abundant white tailed deer, the adult tick's preferred host, in suburban landscapes.
Unlike the deer tick, which quests passively on vegetation, the lone star tick actively pursues hosts, following carbon dioxide trails across open ground. That behavior makes encounters more likely wherever it becomes established, and it is a major reason tick bite reports climb sharply as this species moves into new counties.
Species profile
- Scientific name
- Amblyomma americanum
- Identification
- Distinct white dot or "lone star" on female's back. Reddish-brown body.
- Peak season
- Active from early Spring through late Fall
- Habitat
- Woodlands with dense undergrowth and around animal resting areas.
- Behavior
- Aggressive hunter. Actively pursues hosts.
- Danger level
- High
What lone star ticks transmit (and what they do not)
The lone star tick does not transmit Lyme disease. Its signature risks are different: alpha-gal syndrome, a red meat allergy that can develop after a bite, plus ehrlichiosis, STARI, Heartland virus, and Bourbon virus. Alpha-gal reactions are often delayed 2 to 6 hours after eating mammal meat, which makes the connection easy to miss without testing.
- Ehrlichiosis
- Alpha-gal Syndrome
- STARI
- Heartland Virus
- Bourbon Virus
Lone star tick questions
Where are lone star ticks found in 2026?
Lone star ticks are the dominant tick across 18 states in the Southeast, mid Atlantic, and south central US, from Texas and Oklahoma east to Florida and north to New Jersey. They are also established in 10 more states, including New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania, where populations continue pushing north.
Are lone star ticks spreading north?
Yes. Lone star ticks have expanded steadily northward over the past two decades, driven by milder winters and abundant deer populations. They are now established in southern New England and New York, areas where they were rare in the early 2000s, and continue to gain ground along the coast.
Do lone star ticks carry Lyme disease?
No. Lone star ticks do not transmit Lyme disease. Their bite is associated with ehrlichiosis, STARI, Heartland virus, Bourbon virus, and alpha-gal syndrome, an allergy to red meat that can develop after a bite. Lyme disease is transmitted by blacklegged (deer) ticks, a different species.
What is alpha-gal syndrome?
Alpha-gal syndrome is an allergy to a sugar molecule found in most mammal meat, triggered in some people after a lone star tick bite. Reactions to red meat can range from hives to anaphylaxis, often delayed 2 to 6 hours after eating. The CDC estimates hundreds of thousands of Americans may be affected.
How do I identify a lone star tick?
Adult female lone star ticks have a single white dot in the center of a reddish brown body, the namesake lone star. Males have scattered pale markings along the edge instead. They are fast moving, aggressive ticks that actively pursue hosts rather than waiting on vegetation.
Is the lone star tick active near you?
Enter your ZIP for a live local tick forecast combining weather, season, and regional species data.