A student at the University of Dubuque is being credited with finding two rare types of ticks, one that’s never been confirmed in Iowa before. Senior biology major Paige Manning found both a Lone Star tick and a Gulf Coast tick at the Wolter Woods and Prairies Environmental Stewardship and Retreat Center in Dubuque County. Manning’s advisor and biology professor Kelly Grussendorf says it’s a thrilling discovery.
Once under the microscope, the ticks were confirmed — marking the first time a Lone Star tick was found in Dubuque County and the first time a Gulf Coast tick has been spotted anywhere in the state.
The Gulf Coast tick can be mistaken for the dog tick, which is much more common in Iowa, but the mouth parts of a Gulf Coast tick are larger and the back is more vibrant. All ticks can carry diseases that can be harmful to people, pets and livestock. If you’re spending any time outdoors, Grussendorf says to be vigilant for these tiny insects.
Earlier this month, Grussendorf and Manning formally reported the discovery of two Lone Star ticks and three Gulf Coast ticks to the Iowa Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Six specimens of the same species must be found in order for a tick to be considered established in an area.
