lone star tick
noun
: an ixodid tick (Amblyomma americanum) of the southern, central, and eastern U.S. that attacks mammals and birds, is a vector of several diseases (such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever and ehrlichiosis), and in which the adult female has a single white spot on the back
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The lone star tick can also cause a rare reaction, known as alpha-gal syndrome, that causes humans to become allergic to sugar molecules in certain meats, leading to people being unable to eat red meat. 
al, 13 June 2022 The lone star tick, the black-legged tick, the American dog tick and the Gulf Coast tick can attach to humans and pets. al, 13 June 2022 This spread has heightened talk about alpha-gal syndrome, which is an allergic reaction to red meat caused by lone star tick bites, according to the Mayo Clinic. Korin Miller, SELF, 20 May 2022 In the United States, the lone star tick, found predominantly in the Southeast, has been identified as the vector. New York Times, 9 May 2022 Not all lone star tick bites produce alpha-gal syndrome. Kevin Ambrose, Anchorage Daily News, 2 May 2022 For the study, researchers sampled the lone star tick populations in rural areas located southeast of Atlanta, near a wildlife refuge, in 2018 and 2019. Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, 17 Mar. 2022 And the bite from a lone star tick has been linked to the development of meat allergies in some people. NBC News, 16 Mar. 2022 The lone star tick, named for the pale spot on the back of females, is concerning because components of its saliva can trigger a red meat allergy in its host. Laura Schulte, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 30 June 2021 See More
al, 13 June 2022 The lone star tick, the black-legged tick, the American dog tick and the Gulf Coast tick can attach to humans and pets. al, 13 June 2022 This spread has heightened talk about alpha-gal syndrome, which is an allergic reaction to red meat caused by lone star tick bites, according to the Mayo Clinic. Korin Miller, SELF, 20 May 2022 In the United States, the lone star tick, found predominantly in the Southeast, has been identified as the vector. New York Times, 9 May 2022 Not all lone star tick bites produce alpha-gal syndrome. Kevin Ambrose, Anchorage Daily News, 2 May 2022 For the study, researchers sampled the lone star tick populations in rural areas located southeast of Atlanta, near a wildlife refuge, in 2018 and 2019. Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, 17 Mar. 2022 And the bite from a lone star tick has been linked to the development of meat allergies in some people. NBC News, 16 Mar. 2022 The lone star tick, named for the pale spot on the back of females, is concerning because components of its saliva can trigger a red meat allergy in its host. Laura Schulte, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 30 June 2021 See More Word History
First Known Use
1896, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
lone star tick
noun
ˈlōn-ˈstär- 
: an ixodid tick of the genus Amblyomma (A. americanum) of the southern, central, and eastern United States that attacks mammals and birds, is a vector of several diseases (as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis), and in which the adult female has a single white spot on the back