An invasive tick species capable of spreading serious diseases has been discovered in Maine for the first time, marking its most north-easterly detection in the United States. Researchers from the University of Maine and state conservation officials identified the Asian longhorned tick in July.
Originating in East Asia, where it spreads tickborne illnesses like spotted fever, the tick was first detected in the US in New Jersey in 2017. It has since spread to more than 20 states, primarily in the eastern third of the country. The exact route of its arrival remains uncertain, though public health officials suggest it may have been transported by pets or livestock.
Griffin Dill, director of the UMaine Extension Tick Lab, emphasised the importance of ongoing monitoring. 'This discovery underscores the critical importance of continued tick surveillance in Maine,' he stated. 'While this appears to be an isolated case, we are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with state and federal partners.'
The specimen found in southern Maine was a juvenile, meaning it could not yet reproduce. Follow-up surveillance in the immediate vicinity did not yield any further ticks, suggesting the finding may be an isolated incident. However, Asian longhorned ticks pose a challenge for pest control because females can reproduce without mating, allowing a single individual to create an infestation.
Research is ongoing to determine the tick's ability to spread pathogens in Maine and elsewhere in the US. Ticks are a major public health concern in the Northeastern US, where the blacklegged or deer tick spreads Lyme disease. Public health officials advise the public to prevent tick bites by conducting rigorous checks, avoiding overgrown vegetation, and wearing protective clothing.
