Lyme disease ecology (IMAGE) University of Pennsylvania Caption Black legged ticks, or Ixodes scapularis, are the vector of Lyme disease. Work by a team of Penn scientists and colleagues has led to predictive models that can forecast the prevalence and distribution of ticks infected with Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. Credit Michael Benjamin Usage Restrictions In context of reporting License Original content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.