Larval and nymphal stages feed on a wide variety of hosts. Adult ticks appear in March, peak in May, declining by July. Larvae and nymphs appear later than adults, disappearing by late summer. The is the tick most commonly involved in RMSF, anaplasmosis, and paralysis cases in western states. Members of the genus Dermacentor can be recognized by the short mouthparts and non-flarred basis capituli.
Adults are common on a variety of hosts but dogs appear to be the preferred host.
This species is widely distributed over the eastern two-thirds of the United States. Adult tick activity begins in mid-April and peaks in June, declining until September. In southern states, all stages may be found on the host throughout the year. A common vector for RMSF, anaplasmosis, feline cytauxzoonosis, and tick paralysis in eastern and southern states. A cool-weather or winter 1 host tick.