Determining the preferred attachment site of tick species endemic to New York State and the influence of pathogen infection on body-segment selection in the deer tick, Ixodes scapularis

Ticks transmit several arthropod-borne pathogens in New York state. The primary human-biting ticks in this region are Ixodes scapularis , Amblyomma americanum , and Dermacentor variabilis . Tick body-segment preference varies depending on tick and host species, with the human bite-site located on the head or lower extremities and abdomen. A community tick submission system was used to acquire information about bite-site location prior to pathogen testing to understand species and life stage-specific body-segment preferences. This identified species-specific preferences for location, with D. variabilis preferentially biting the head and neck and A. americanum preferring the thighs, groin, and abdomen. Ixodes scapularis was found across the body, although it showed a significant life stage difference with adults preferring the head, midsection, and groin while nymphs/larvae preferred the extremities. Infection with Borrelia burgdorferi related to a significant change in attachment site. This provides an assessment of which body segments ticks of the most common species in New York are likely to be found. This can be applied to tick protection or clinically to inform the search for biting ticks or cutaneous signs of tick-borne illness such as erythema migrans or eschar.