How to cite:
Longhorned Tick Working Group. September 22, 2025. Longhorned tick September 2025
Stakeholder Call. University of Tennessee, online.
Meeting summary – Quick recap
The meeting focused on transitioning responsibilities from USDA-APHIS to the Medical and Veterinary Entomology Team at the University of Tennessee (UT). The team leading the call consists of Trout Fryxell (Professor), Katy Smith (PhD Candidate & Veterinary Entomology Education Specialist), and Jennifer Chandler (Research and Safety Coordinator). Discussion began with an agenda, outlining meeting protocols, and sharing survey results for future calls (to begin in January 2026). States and agencies provided updates on tick infestations and activity, while researchers discussed ongoing studies on tickborne pathogens and capabilities. The group addressed port inspection processes for cattle and discussed the development of a website and listserv to improve communication among experts, with plans for the next meeting on October 20th.
Next steps
- Trout Fryxell, Smith, and Chandler (UT) to create a website through the University of Tennessee by January 2026 with meeting notes, listserv to opt-in/out of updates, distribution maps, and a directory of experts.
- All participants sign up for the listserv (once the link is working).
- All participants complete the survey if they haven’t already done so.
New States and New Counties reported by APHIS as of September 1, 2025
- Arkansas – Newton Co (environment);
- Delaware – Sussex Co (new host – Gray fox);
- Illinois – Clay Co (cattle), Hamilton Co (environment), Marion Co (cattle);
- Indiana – Hendricks Co (environment, photos only);
- Iowa – Dubuque Co (photos; submit to NVSL), Linn Co (human), Van Buren (cattle), Wapello Co (cattle)
- Kentucky – Campbell Co (environment), Floyd Co (cattle), Franklin Co (environment); Monroe Co (horse), Woodford Co (horse);
- Maine – Cumberland Co; Maine Department of Health and Department of Agriculture to conduct a second round of surveillance this fall
- Michigan – Berrien Co (environment);
- Missouri – Gasconade Co (cattle);
- New York – Monroe Co (environment);
- North Carolina – Cleveland Co (human), McDowell Co (dog);
- Ohio – Clark Co (cattle), Guernsey Co (cattle), Holmes Co (horse), Meigs Co (cattle);
- Pennsylvania – Mifflin Co (environment), Potter Co (environment);
- West Virginia – Jackson Co (cattle), Preson Co (cattle), Calhoun Co (reported).
Summary
Trout Fryxell explained that the meeting’s purpose is to discuss the transition of responsibilities from APHIS to UTK, focusing on Longhorned tick surveillance and control. She emphasized the importance of accurate identification of ticks and requested participants to use the chat for recording purposes. She also acknowledged the efforts of Denise Bonilla and her team at USDA APHIS for their leadership in managing the Longhorned tick issue since 2019.
Tick Research Group Meeting Protocols
The group was reminded to be cautious about sharing
information and clarified that new findings should be reported to both UT and APHIS. Meeting protocols
were outlined, including muting when not speaking and updating Zoom names (importance for roll call and
identification), and announced the creation of a listserv for updates. Results from a recent survey were
shared, noting that most participants were from government agencies, academia, agriculture, veterinary
medicine, and public health, and that the group preferred monthly meetings lasting 60 minutes, with a
focus on tick-specific and animal health topics. Note, nothing is set and the survey was redistributed for
those present that have not had a moment to participate.
Meeting Format and Program Enhancements
Potential format changes were discussed, including incorporating partner agencies in roll call submissions and implementing a timed agenda with national updates and presentations. She emphasized the importance of consistent reporting on density, diversity, and surveillance dates, as well as a rotational focus on topics like animal health and new technology. Plans
for attendance were discussed to assess meeting participation and improve the format if needed. The group discussed strengths of the program, including information sharing and situational awareness, and identified opportunities for collaboration and research networking. Initial goals were set for the future, including launching a website in January 2026 to provide updated information and distribution maps for emerging pests and exotics.
- Meeting Protocols:
- Indicate your presence by typing your name, a􀆯iliation, and email into the chat
- If you are providing a roll call report, please type it into the chat with the above request
- Questions/ideas for discussion should be submitted prior to the meeting
- Meeting minutes will replace situation report, minutes will be reviewed by in-house contributors then contributors before sharing on website/email
Expert Directory and Communication Updates
The creation of a password-protected directory of experts and a listserv to improve communication and reduce spam was discussed. Plans for a meeting on October 20th and requested active participation, including turning on cameras and using microphones.
Asian Longhorned Tick State Updates
The meeting focused on updates from new state infestations and then agency reports. States with previous infestations were asked to provide updates into the chat to be included in the meeting notes (detailed below).
- Harris, representing Maine, reported the discovery of a single nymph in Cumberland County, with no further findings in additional surveillance. Trout Fryxell asked Connecticut to share overwintering information with Maine. Connecticut noted that ticks typically go into overwintering diapause by early November.
- Several states, including Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and New York, provided updates on tick activity
- Oklahoma, Missouri, and Illinois were misrepresented by UT team as newly infested states (updated in these notes)
NOTE: Secondary confirmation is recommended and preferred. Samples should be sent to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa. Link to information here
(https://www.aphis.usda.gov/labs/diagnostic-testing/shipping-nvsl-ames).
Tick Research and Transmission Studies
The meeting discussed updates from USDA and CDC agencies which included some discussion about research efforts. Poh from USDA-ARS in Washington shared plans for a study on transovarial and transstadial transmission of the tick-borne pathogen Theileria orientalis. Williamson from CDC reported on their final experiment involving transmission studies of Rickettsia parkeri (stay tuned). Phil, the USDA Invasive Species Coordinator, requested information on invasive species as vectors for human and agricultural security, and several participants offered to provide tick samples and collaborate on research.
Discoveries
Jasmine Dhillon (from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency) reported that a shipment of 75 Angus heifers from Virginia was turned away at the Queenston Port of Entry in Niagara Falls, Ontario, on August 13th due to a major tick infestation, which is undergoing secondary identification. The group discussed the port inspection processes for cattle entering Canada, with Dhillon explaining that while some shipments undergo full inspection requiring unloading and passing through a chute system, others may only receive a visual check while still on transport conveyances if they appear healthy and have recently traveled.
The meeting also covered the discovery of Longhorned ticks in New York, with Laura Goodman mentioning a viral discovery preprint using ALHT from the NYC area. Preprint here:
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.06.08.658352v1
The group also discussed the recent detection of New World screwworm in Mexico (Washington, D.C., September 21, 2025) – Hours ago, Mexico’s National Service of Agro-Alimentary Health, Safety, and Quality (SENASICA) confirmed a new case of New World screwworm (NWS) in Sabinas Hidalgo, located in the state of Nuevo León, less than 70 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border.