Western Black-legged Tick
The western black-legged tick (Ixodes pacificus) can be found all along the west coast of the United States. They are small in size, and their physical features are related to the deer tick species. Western black-legged ticks have a somewhat elongated body compared to the deer tick and can only be found along the west coast starting from Mexico and upward towards Canada. Western black-legged ticks have an identical life cycle when compared to deer ticks.The larvae and nymphs prefer to attach and feed on smaller animals, while adult ticks will attach and engorge onto larger animals. Nymphs can primarily be found under and around leaf litter and at the bottom of trees. The Western black-legged tick will compete all life stages at a minimum of 3 years.
Western black-legged ticks in all life stages can infect their host with the follow diseases: