There are several different species of ticks in Texas that carry diseases, but the lone star tick just might be the worst of them all. Found in the eastern portion of the state, this tiny insect has a bite that can cause lifelong meat allergies. We Texans love our meat, so staying vigilant while hiking is of utmost importance.

Amblyomma americanum - or the Lone Star tick, as it's more commonly known - is indigenous to the eastern U.S. and Mexico.
Wikimedia Commons/CDC
The insect has also been spotted outside of its normal range in Southern Ontario and northern South America.
The tick prefers to live in heavily wooded areas, which are abundant across East Texas.
Holger Leue / The Image Bank via Getty Images
White-tailed deer are Amblyomma americanum's primary hosts, but humans in the wrong place at the wrong time can easily become victims, as well.
Pictured below is an adult female lone star tick; the species is named after the star-shaped marking near the center of its back.
Flickr/Judy Gallagher
Males, however, do not possess this marking. Instead, their backs have white streaks around the edges.

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As you can see, males and females look quite different, so keep your eyes peeled when hiking in the forest.
Wikimedia Commons/CDC
Even more sinister, the ticks can live for long periods of time without a host, and they thrive in humid environments. Even if you don't see any deer around, these unwanted guests could be hiding just beneath your feet.
Females are much harder to identify when they engorge to prepare for egg-laying.
Flickr/NIAID
The female lone star ticks feed on blood, which they convert into upwards of 20,000 eggs. The insects die after this single egg-laying event.
Many tick species carry diseases, and the lone star tick is no exception.
Kryssia Campos / Moment via Getty Images
Its bite can cause something called alpha-gal allergy, which is an allergy to beef, pork, lamb, and other mammal products like milk. While the allergy can be outgrown, it often lasts a lifetime, and can manifest as mild symptoms (a rash, hives, digestive distress) or life-threatening anaphylaxis. Meat lovers, beware!

Have you ever seen a lone star tick? Tell us your thoughts in the comments! Don’t forget to check out our previous article to learn more about ticks in Texas.

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