![Self-Cloning Asian Longhorned Ticks Found in Kentucky](http://townsquare.media/site/76/files/2020/07/Asian-longhorned-ticks.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Self-Cloning Asian Longhorned Ticks Found in Kentucky
My grades in high school biology left, ahem, a lot to desired. I just could never wrap my brain around zygotes and endospores. So it will take a MUCH smarter human than I to understand how a creature can self-clone.
And this brings us to the lovely and talented Asian longhorned tick, which...wait for it...CAN self-clone.
Up front, I can't stand ticks. Just the thought sends shivers up my back. And, why not, they can do a great deal of damage.
But ticks that can reproduce without mating are a whole other level of tickdom. And needless to say, we have enough varieties of ticks without adding this one to the mix.
So far, according to Kentucky.com, these little pests have only been found in three counties in the Commonwealth--Martin and Floyd in eastern Kentucky and Metcalfe in south central Kentucky.
Metcalfe County is only about 130 miles from Owensboro and that's where the report came in of a bull that was infested with a large number of Asian longhorned ticks.
Experts at the University of Kentucky say that these ticks are attracted to just about every type of animal we have around here.
The good news, according to the Centers for Disease Control, is that they seem to be less attracted to human skin.
That's fine. We have enough to deal with.
![WOMI-AM logo](https://townsquare.media/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/WOMIAM.png?w=100)
gallery galleryid="71:655014" gallerytitle="What is Up With These Weird Looking Trees In Spencer County?"]
More From WOMI-AM
![Cooper Is Looking For A Fun Family [103 GBF PC Pound Puppy of the Week]](http://townsquare.media/site/72/files/2020/01/Cooper-hz-e1579495629417.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![New Beginnings Launches Artist Search for Downtown Mural [Photos]](http://townsquare.media/site/76/files/2020/07/NB11.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Meet Diamond: Our SPARKY Pet of the Week [Photo]](http://townsquare.media/site/76/files/2020/07/115887061_10158124919196187_2321306170007506280_o-e1595509651659.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Christian Nerdcore Erik Stephen (Shaped by FAITH)](http://townsquare.media/site/77/files/2020/07/Erik-Stephen-1-e1595502254508.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![It’s National Gorgeous Grandma Day (PHOTOS)](http://townsquare.media/site/76/files/2020/07/2020_07_22_11_05_44_Window.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Did You Know There’s Going to Be a Prequel to the Movie GREASE? [Video]](http://townsquare.media/site/76/files/2020/07/Grease.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Concert for Change in Henderson Happens on Saturday [VIDEO]](http://townsquare.media/site/76/files/2020/07/final.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Kentucky Restaurants Featured on Food Network [PHOTOS]](http://townsquare.media/site/76/files/2020/07/Parkette-Drive-In-in-Lexington1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Fans at NFL Games Will Have to Wear Masks](http://townsquare.media/site/76/files/2020/07/NFL.jpg?w=980&q=75)