The lone star tick is found in the southeastern sector of the US, but reaches as far north as New Jersey. Due to its long mouth parts, the bite is painful. It is a vector of human anaplasmosis (ehrlichiosis), tickborne typhus and tularemia. Females of this species are easily recognized by the conspicuous silvery-white spot on the back or scutum. The male tick has horseshoe shaped markings on the posterior region of its reddish-brown body.