ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — Researchers at Washington University have discovered the first invasive longhorned tick in suburban St. Louis County, as announced by the university on Thursday.

This tiny arachnid poses a “significant threat,” according to the Missouri Department of Agriculture. The longhorned tick has been linked to diseases in domestic animals and livestock across Australia, New Zealand, and various countries in Eastern Asia, with severe infestations leading to animal fatalities due to blood loss.

Undergraduate researcher Sam Ko from WashU was responsible for collecting and identifying the tick in the area.

“So far, we’ve only located one longhorned tick in St. Louis County, but it’s probable that others are present,” remarked Solny Adalsteinsson, who leads the tick and wildlife ecology team at the Tyson Research Center.

In light of this discovery, the university plans to enhance its tick collection initiatives throughout the region and collaborate with St. Louis County’s “Tick Watch STL” program, which enables local residents to submit ticks for analysis to Vector Borne Disease Prevention in Olivette.

The county has also launched a public dashboard for the tick collection initiative, which includes a map displaying collection sites and comprehensive information on different tick species.

“Our goal is to empower residents with information to make informed decisions and assure them that support is available whenever they have questions or concerns,” stated J. Brooke Dedrick, a vector-borne disease prevention specialist at the St. Louis County Department of Public Health.

While Missouri currently does not have a statewide tick submission program, residents are encouraged to report specific tick-borne illnesses and conditions to local health agencies or the Missouri Department of Health and Human Services. Learn more here.