Haemaphysalis longicornis

Accurate identification requires microscopic examination of minute morphological features, particularly capitulum and spiracle characteristics. The species cannot be reliably distinguished from other Haemaphysalis ticks by gross morphology alone. Molecular confirmation via PCR amplification of the cox1 gene or other genetic markers is recommended for definitive identification, particularly in newly invaded regions.

Thrives in temperate conditions with moderate temperature, humidity, and precipitation. Associated with forested or shrubby vegetation that provides suitable questing substrate. In agricultural settings, highest densities occur within 20 meters of livestock housing; tick abundance declines significantly beyond 30 meters from host shelters. Suitable habitat includes pastures, woodland edges, and areas with tall grass where ticks quest in clusters.

Native to temperate East and Central Asia including China, Korea, Japan, and the Russian Far East. Invasive populations established in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and other Pacific islands. In North America, first confirmed detection in Hunterdon County, New Jersey in November 2017; subsequently detected in at least 19 eastern and midwestern U.S. states including Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, New York, Arkansas, Maryland, Connecticut, Ohio, Maine, Tennessee, and Oklahoma. Climate modeling indicates potential for establishment across much of eastern North America and the coastal Pacific Northwest.

Exhibits a seasonal feeding and reproductive cycle typical of temperate hard ticks. Activity patterns influenced by temperature and humidity, with warm, humid conditions favoring increased activity and population growth. Unfed ticks can survive close to one year depending on temperature and humidity, with nymphs and adult females showing the longest survival.

Obligate blood-feeding ectoparasite. Larvae, nymphs, and adults all require blood meals to develop and reproduce. Documented hosts include cattle, horses, sheep, pigs, chickens, dogs, cats, humans, deer, bear, foxes, hares, ferrets, rats, other small mammals, and various bird species.

• cattle - primary hostMajor veterinary concern; can cause severe infestations, blood loss, and anemia
• sheep - hostSite of first U.S. detection
• horses - host
• pigs - host
• chickens - host
• dogs - hostCompanion animal host
• cats - host
• humans - incidental hostBites documented but human disease transmission not confirmed in U.S.
• white-tailed deer - wildlife host
• bear - wildlife host
• foxes - wildlife host
• hares - wildlife host
• ferrets - host
• rats - host
• birds - host; potential dispersal vectorBelieved to facilitate long-distance migration to new areas

Three-host tick with four developmental stages: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. Each active stage requires a separate blood meal from a host before molting to the next stage. Females lay eggs after engorgement. Unfed ticks can survive extended periods without feeding—up to nearly one year for nymphs and adult females under favorable temperature and humidity conditions.

Quests in clusters on tall grass and vegetation. Clusters commonly disperse explosively when disturbed by contact with a host animal, human, or monitoring equipment. Reproduces parthenogenetically in many populations, allowing single females to establish new populations without mating. Disperses to new areas primarily through host movement, particularly bird migration.

Vector of veterinary and human pathogens. Transmits Theileria orientalis to cattle, causing theileriosis with impacts including anemia, decreased milk production, and reduced wool quality. Laboratory studies demonstrate competence for transmitting Rickettsia rickettsii (Rocky Mountain spotted fever agent) and other rickettsial, viral, and bacterial pathogens, though field transmission to humans in North America remains unconfirmed.

Significant threat to livestock industry through direct blood loss and disease transmission, particularly Theileria orientalis in cattle. Potential public health concern due to demonstrated vector competence for multiple human pathogens in laboratory and native-range studies; CDC-recommended repellents and permethrin-treated clothing are effective for personal protection. Management on farms involves integrated approaches including closed herds, acaricides, and vegetation management.

• Haemaphysalis concinnaOverlapping geographic range in Asia; microscopic examination required for differentiation
• Haemaphysalis megaspinosaCongener with similar morphology; attachment height on hosts differs but requires detailed study to distinguish
• Haemaphysalis punctataAnother invasive Haemaphysalis species; both require microscopic or molecular identification
• Amblyomma americanumNative U.S. tick with similar host range and habitat; differs in morphology and lacks parthenogenesis
• Dermacentor variabilisNative U.S. vector of Rickettsia rickettsii; H. longicornis has shown similar laboratory transmission efficiency

Despite common references, this species has not been confirmed to transmit Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi); laboratory studies have shown it cannot transmit this pathogen. While associated with many human pathogens in its native range, transmission of human disease agents has not been documented in North American populations.

• invasive species
• livestock pest
• vector
• parthenogenesis
• three-host tick
• theileriosis
• veterinary entomology
• medical entomology

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• Lab Study Shows Asian Longhorned Tick Can Spread Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
• Potential Range for Asian Longhorned Tick Covers Much of Eastern U.S.
• Different Tick, Same Repellents: CDC Study Shows How to Avoid Asian Longhorned Tick
• Be On the Lookout: There's a New Tick in Town
• Commonly Used Acaricides Found Effective on Invasive Tick
• New Study Points to Management Strategies for Invasive Tick on Cattle Farms
• Functional Morphology of the Reproduction in Haemaphysalis longicornis
• Transferrin affects food intake and reproduction in the hard tick Haemaphysalis longicornis
• Asian longhorned tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis Neumann (Arachnida: Acari: Ixodidae)
• Heights of attachment to host in Haemaphysalis megaspinosa Saito and H. longicornis Neumann (Metastigmata : Ixodidae)
• Preliminary prediction of the potential distribution and consequences of Haemaphysalis longicornis using a simple rule-based climate envelope model
• First Report of Haemaphysalis longicornis (Neumann) in Oklahoma, USA
• Identification and knockdown effect of disulfide isomerase in the Haemaphysalis longicornis (Acari: Ixodidae)
• First Hemispheric Report of Invasive Tick Species Haemaphysalis Punctata Canestrini Et Fanzago, 1878, First State Report of Haemaphysalis Longicornis Neumann, and Range Expansion of Native Tick Species in Rhode Island, USA
• Distribution, seasonal occurrence and biological characteristics of Haemaphysalis longicornis, a vector of bovine piroplasmosis in Japan.
• Distribution characteristics and influencing factors of Haemaphysalis longicornis around goat sheds in Jinan city, East China
• Haemaphysalis longicornis and Carvacrol as Acaricide: Efficacy and Mechanism of Action
• Molecular cloning and transcriptional and functional analysis of glycogen synthase kinase-3β inHaemaphysalis longicornis(Acari, Ixodidae)