Haemaphysalis longicornis, the Asian longhorned tick, from a dog in Virginia, USA

• Published in: Veterinary parasitology (Amsterdam) 2020-04, Vol.20, p.100395-100395, Article 100395
• Main Authors: Duncan, Kathryn T., Sundstrom, Kellee D., Saleh, Meriam N., Little, Susan E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acaricide; Animals; Asian longhorned tick; Dog; Dog Diseases - parasitology; Dog Diseases - prevention & control; Dogs; Female; Haemaphysalis longicornis; Introduced Species; Ixodidae - physiology; Nymph; Tick Infestations - parasitology; Tick Infestations - prevention & control; Tick Infestations - veterinary; Virginia
• ISSN: 2405-9390; 2405-9390
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2020.100395

The Asian longhorned tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis, was only recently recognized in North America and has since been identified on a wide range of domestic and wild animal hosts in multiple states throughout the eastern United States. An H. longicornis nymph was submitted for identification from a dog in central Virginia, USA. Identification was made using standard keys and confirmed molecularly. No products are currently FDA label-approved as effective for H. longicornis in the USA; however, many acaricides commercially available in the United States are known to be effective against H. longicornis in other areas of the world where this tick is endemic. Veterinarians should be aware H. longicornis can commonly be found infesting dogs, cats, livestock, and wildlife, and should continue recommending year-round tick prevention for all pets and routine monitoring for tick-borne infections. •The Asian longhorned tick was recently recognized in the United States.•Haemaphysalis longicornis has not yet been shown to transmit pathogens in this region.•Although likely effective, no acaricides are label-approved for this tick in the USA.