What is the scientific name for the Eastern cousin of Ixodes pacificus?
Answer
Ixodes scapularis
The Eastern Blacklegged Tick, scientifically identified as *Ixodes scapularis*, is the counterpart to the Western Blacklegged Tick (*I. pacificus*) but occupies a completely different geographic area, primarily the Northeast and upper Midwest regions of North America. Although they are often mentally grouped together due to their common name lineage and role as Lyme disease vectors, they occupy distinct territories and exhibit differing ecological preferences. Understanding this distinction is important because while *I. scapularis* defines the risk profile for the eastern seaboard, *I. pacificus* serves the same function along the western seaboard, necessitating regionally specific prevention strategies.
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