Which tick transmits RMSF in Eastern and Midwestern states, sometimes called a wood tick?
Answer
American Dog Tick (Dermacentor variabilis)
While *Dermacentor andersoni* is the focus in the West, the common name 'wood tick' is sometimes applied generally to other species in different areas. The American Dog Tick, scientifically named *Dermacentor variabilis*, is specifically identified as the vector responsible for transmitting Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) in the Eastern and Midwestern regions of the United States. This highlights the importance of identifying the regional tick species, as the microbial baggage carried by the local tick population determines the specific health risk profile, even when encountering similar-looking environments.
Related Questions
What is the scientific name for the Rocky Mountain Wood Tick transmitting Tick Paralysis?Which geographic range primarily hosts the distribution of Dermacentor andersoni?What habitat contrasts with the preferred environment of the Rocky Mountain Wood Tick?What elevation range is most commonly associated with the Rocky Mountain Wood Tick?What delayed allergic reaction is linked to Dermacentor andersoni bites in the Rocky Mountain region?What posture do wood ticks adopt while waiting for a host on vegetation?Which tick transmits RMSF in Eastern and Midwestern states, sometimes called a wood tick?Where are nymphs and larvae of D. andersoni most likely found compared to adults?Where does the most intense exposure risk often occur for wood ticks in known harbor areas?What characteristic increases the unnoticed transmission risk from nymphs causing RMSF?