What is the main vector for Lyme disease?

The main vector for Lyme disease is Ixodes scapularis, commonly known as the black-legged tick or deer tick. This tick is particularly adept at transmitting the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which is responsible for Lyme disease. The life cycle of Ixodes scapularis involves several stages, including larval, nymphal, and adult stages, during which they may feed on various hosts, including rodents and deer, facilitating the spread of the disease.

In contrast, other listed choices are vectors for different diseases. Aedes aegypti is known primarily for transmitting dengue fever, Zika virus, and chikungunya, while Rhipicephalus sanguineus, also known as the brown dog tick, is mainly associated with diseases like canine ehrlichiosis. Culex pipiens, the common house mosquito, is a known vector for West Nile virus and other diseases but is not involved in the transmission of Lyme disease. This specificity highlights why Ixodes scapularis is clearly the main vector for Lyme disease.