Gulf Coast Tick

Gulf coast tick larva, nymph, adult male and adult female

Overview

Gulf Coast ticks (GCT) are found in coastal areas along the Atlantic coast and Gulf of Mexico from New Jersey to Texas, but also extend their range into Oklahoma and Kansas. Gulf Coast ticks are 3-host ticks (uses 3 different hosts in their lifecycle) that feed on humans and animals and transmit germs, like Rickettsia parkeri, associated with moderate to severe medical and veterinary consequences. They are ticks of prairie grass meadows and shady, wooded edges. Studies suggest that a similar tick, Amblyomma triste found in South and Central America, Mexico, and the southwestern U.S. are genetically indistinguishable from A. maculatum. A reproductively prolific tick, a single female GCT lays an average of over 8,000 eggs.

Field Notes

Adult male and female GCT are sometimes initially confused with American dog ticks (ADT) but their long, slender mouthparts and more angular scutum are two identification characters that differ from ADTs. Adult male and female Gulf Coast ticks are active in April-October with peak tick encounter risk in July and August where they occur. Adult stages prefer to feed on larger hosts including deer, cattle, and other livestock. 

Immature stage GCT (nymphs and larvae) feed on small mammals and ground-dwelling birds. Larvae are rarely encountered.

Life Cycle Stages

Select a region to see how seasonal activity and diseases carried by this tick change across the country.
  • Larva

    gulf coast tick larva
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    Underside of a larval Gulf coast tick
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    • Southeast Central Region

      Encounter Risk

      Jan
      Feb
      Mar
      Apr
      May
      Jun
      Jul
      Aug
      Sep
      Oct
      Nov
      Dec

      Known Diseases Transmitted

      No known diseases in this region at this time.
    • South Atlantic Region

      Encounter Risk

      Jan
      Feb
      Mar
      Apr
      May
      Jun
      Jul
      Aug
      Sep
      Oct
      Nov
      Dec

      Known Diseases Transmitted

      No known diseases in this region at this time.
    • Southwest Central Region

      Encounter Risk

      Jan
      Feb
      Mar
      Apr
      May
      Jun
      Jul
      Aug
      Sep
      Oct
      Nov
      Dec

      Known Diseases Transmitted

      No known diseases in this region at this time.
  • Nymph

    gulf coast tick nymph
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    Underside of a nymph Gulf coast tick
    Bottom
    • Southeast Central Region

      Encounter Risk

      Jan
      Feb
      Mar
      Apr
      May
      Jun
      Jul
      Aug
      Sep
      Oct
      Nov
      Dec

      Known Diseases Transmitted

      • Canine Hepatozoonosis

        Hepatozoon americanum (protozoan)

      • Spotted Fever Rickettsiosis

        Rickettsia parkeri (bacteria)

    • South Atlantic Region

      Encounter Risk

      Jan
      Feb
      Mar
      Apr
      May
      Jun
      Jul
      Aug
      Sep
      Oct
      Nov
      Dec

      Known Diseases Transmitted

      • Canine Hepatozoonosis

        Hepatozoon americanum (protozoan)

      • Spotted Fever Rickettsiosis

        Rickettsia parkeri (bacteria)

    • Southwest Central Region

      Encounter Risk

      Jan
      Feb
      Mar
      Apr
      May
      Jun
      Jul
      Aug
      Sep
      Oct
      Nov
      Dec

      Known Diseases Transmitted

      • Canine Hepatozoonosis

        Hepatozoon americanum (protozoan)

      • Spotted Fever Rickettsiosis

        Rickettsia parkeri (bacteria)

  • Adult Female

    gulf coast tick female
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    underside of a female gulf coast tick
    Bottom
    • Southeast Central Region

      Encounter Risk

      Jan
      Feb
      Mar
      Apr
      May
      Jun
      Jul
      Aug
      Sep
      Oct
      Nov
      Dec

      Known Diseases Transmitted

      • Canine Hepatozoonosis

        Hepatozoon americanum (protozoan)

      • Spotted Fever Rickettsiosis

        Rickettsia parkeri (bacteria)

    • South Atlantic Region

      Encounter Risk

      Jan
      Feb
      Mar
      Apr
      May
      Jun
      Jul
      Aug
      Sep
      Oct
      Nov
      Dec

      Known Diseases Transmitted

      • Canine Hepatozoonosis

        Hepatozoon americanum (protozoan)

      • Spotted Fever Rickettsiosis

        Rickettsia parkeri (bacteria)

    • Southwest Central Region

      Encounter Risk

      Jan
      Feb
      Mar
      Apr
      May
      Jun
      Jul
      Aug
      Sep
      Oct
      Nov
      Dec

      Known Diseases Transmitted

      • Canine Hepatozoonosis

        Hepatozoon americanum (protozoan)

      • Spotted Fever Rickettsiosis

        Rickettsia parkeri (bacteria)

  • Adult Male

    gulf coast tick male
    Top
    Underside of a male Gulf coast tick
    Bottom
    • Southeast Central Region

      Encounter Risk

      Jan
      Feb
      Mar
      Apr
      May
      Jun
      Jul
      Aug
      Sep
      Oct
      Nov
      Dec

      Known Diseases Transmitted

      • Canine Hepatozoonosis

        Hepatozoon americanum (protozoan)

      • Spotted Fever Rickettsiosis

        Rickettsia parkeri (bacteria)

    • South Atlantic Region

      Encounter Risk

      Jan
      Feb
      Mar
      Apr
      May
      Jun
      Jul
      Aug
      Sep
      Oct
      Nov
      Dec

      Known Diseases Transmitted

      • Canine Hepatozoonosis

        Hepatozoon americanum (protozoan)

      • Spotted Fever Rickettsiosis

        Rickettsia parkeri (bacteria)

    • Southwest Central Region

      Encounter Risk

      Jan
      Feb
      Mar
      Apr
      May
      Jun
      Jul
      Aug
      Sep
      Oct
      Nov
      Dec

      Known Diseases Transmitted

      • Canine Hepatozoonosis

        Hepatozoon americanum (protozoan)

      • Spotted Fever Rickettsiosis

        Rickettsia parkeri (bacteria)