Amblyomma americanum (Lone Star Tick)

The lone star tick (A. americanum) is so named because the adult female is distinguished by a white dot or “lone star” on its back.

This tick transmits Ehrlichia chaffeensis, a causative agent of ehrlichiosis, and Francisella tularensis, the causative agent of tularemia. It also transmits the carbohydrate moiety alpha-gal in its saliva, leading to alpha-gal syndrome and subsequent red meat allergy.