Insect Order
Taxonomy
Other Names: "Wood Tick"
The Taxonomic Breakdown is the scientific way to categorize a partocular insect species from its largest group (Animalia) to its smallest (variable). The Genus and Species categorizations taken together make up the species' scientific name shown above, in this case Dermacentor variabilis.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Ixodida
Family: Ixodidae
Genus: Dermacentor
Species: variabilis
Characteristics
Antenna: Antenna are noticeably apparent on this insect.
Harmful: Known to be harmful in one way or another.
Piercing / Sucking Mouth Parts: A common trait of 'True Bugs'.
Description
The American Dog Tick is also known by these other names:
Wood Tick
The American Dog Tick has been identified by site users by the following descriptors:
brown   tan   yellow   black   crawl   legged   antenna   harmful   blood sucking
Sighting Guide
The general likelihood of encountering this insect based on a given month of the year in the state of Tennessee. Generally, the best sighting months are June through August with peak occurring in July.
Size
Below is a representation of the 'smallest-small' and 'largest-large' sizes commonly associated with the American Dog Tick. Due to monitor differences, sizes may not be exact on your particular screen. Conversions to millimeters are provided for convenience.
Lowest-Low:
0.08 inches
(2 mm)
Highest-High:
0.20 inches
(5 mm)
Identifying Colors
Below you will find the colors most commonly associated with the American Dog Tick. Both Primary and Secondary colors are represented in the showcase. Due to monitor differences, colors may not be exact representations.
Tennessee County Reach
The American Dog Tick can be found in the following Tennessee counties:
Anderson; Bedford; Benton; Bledsoe; Blount; Bradley; Campbell; Cannon; Carroll; Carter; Cheatham; Chester; Claiborne; Clay; Cocke; Coffee; Crockett; Cumberland; Davidson; De Kalb; Decatur; Dickson; Dyer; Fayette; Fentress; Franklin; Gibson; Giles; Grainger; Greene; Grundy; Hamblen; Hamilton; Hancock; Hardeman; Hardin; Hawkins; Haywood; Henderson; Henry; Hickman; Houston; Humphreys; Jackson; Jefferson; Johnson; Knox; Lake; Lauderdale; Lawrence; Lewis; Lincoln; Loudon; Macon; Madison; Marion; Marshall; Maury; McMinn; McNairy; Meigs; Monroe; Montgomery; Moore; Morgan; Obion; Overton; Perry; Pickett; Polk; Putnam; Rhea; Roane; Robertson; Rutherford; Scott; Sequatchie; Sevier; Shelby; Smith; Stewart; Sullivan; Sumner; Tipton; Trousdale; Unicoi; Union; Van Buren; Warren; Washington; Wayne; Weakley; White; Williamson; Wilson
American Dog Tick Picture (1)
1 of 1
Image of an adult female American Dog Tick insect.; Credit: Julie R. of Illinois.
This image is original to
www.InsectIdentification.org; Used with Permission.
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