Asian longhorned tick detected in Michigan

By Andi Anderson

The Asian longhorned tick has been found in Michigan for the first time, according to a discovery made by students and researchers at Calvin University. The species was detected during a routine environmental surveillance check in Berrien County.

William Miller, Assistant Professor of Biology and a certified wildlife biologist, confirmed the tick’s identity using a microscope. He noted that ticks are usually discovered during veterinary exams, making this environmental find notable.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) explained that the Asian longhorned tick is extremely small. While a full-grown female can reach the size of a pea, other stages are often smaller than a sesame seed.

This tick was first reported in the United States in 2017 in New Jersey and has since spread to 21 other states, including neighboring Indiana and Ohio. Experts believe the tick may have entered Michigan via migratory animals like deer and birds or through pets and farm animals moved across regions.

A unique trait of this tick is its ability to reproduce without a male through parthenogenesis. Just one female can lay viable eggs and begin a new population. This rapid reproduction makes it difficult to control once introduced.

Although the tick can carry pathogens, there is currently no confirmed link to diseases in humans in the U.S. It is also not known to transmit Lyme disease. However, the tick poses a significant threat to agriculture, especially cattle, due to its potential to create large infestations.

Miller stressed the importance of monitoring and early detection. MDARD recommends regular tick treatments for animals. People can protect themselves by staying on trails, using EPA-approved repellents, and performing tick checks after being outdoors.

This discovery highlights the need for awareness and proactive measures to manage potential risks to public health and livestock.

Photo Credit: longhorn-tick-new-jersey-department-of-agriculture