The ‘Poppyseed’ Predator: Invasive Tick Threatens WNC Livestock, Pets, and Wildlife
By Marge Farrington | Published 2026-05-06T17:08:23.256Z
News
WNC -- May 6, 2026: As the 2026 spring grazing season hits its peak, a silent and nearly invisible predator is tightening its grip across the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Asian Longhorned Tick (ALT), an invasive species first identified in North Carolina in 2018, has officially reached endemic status, creating a crisis that bridges the gap between commercial pastures, wilderness areas, and residential backyards.
WNC -- May 6, 2026: As the 2026 spring grazing season hits its peak, a silent and nearly invisible predator is tightening its grip across the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Asian Longhorned Tick (ALT), an invasive species first identified in North Carolina in 2018, has officially reached endemic status, creating a crisis that bridges the gap between commercial pastures, wilderness areas, and residential backyards.The ‘Poppyseed’ IdentityThe nickname "Poppyseed Predator" is more than just a catchy p