lone star tick

noun

: an ixodid tick (Amblyomma americanum) of the southern, central, and eastern U.S. that attacks mammals and birds, is a vector of several diseases (such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever and ehrlichiosis), and in which the adult female has a single white spot on the back

Examples of lone star tick in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For instance, the lone star tick, named for a white spot on its back, is often found in Texas, and the brown dog tick thrives in Arizona. —Ashwin Rodrigues, Outside Online, 11 July 2024

The most distinctive feature of lone star ticks may be the starlike white splotch on the backs of adult females that gives them their name. —Catherine Roberts, Washington Post, 8 July 2024

The lone star tick can transmit alpha-gal syndrome to humans through its saliva. —Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 3 July 2024

Meanwhile, more water-guzzling swimming pools are being built than ever, lone star ticks that can cause a meat allergy have reached Rhode Island and giant Burmese pythons are slithering northward from Florida. —Janet Wilson, USA TODAY, 27 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

lone star tick

noun

ˈlōn-ˈstär- 

: an ixodid tick of the genus Amblyomma (A. americanum) of the southern, central, and eastern United States that attacks mammals and birds, is a vector of several diseases (as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis), and in which the adult female has a single white spot on the back