Evolutionary genomics of an expanding pest species

I am studying the evolutionary genetics of the lone star tick, one of the most aggressive and locally abundant ticks that parasitize humans and domestic and wild animals in the United States.  Historically a southern pest, the lone star tick has recently experienced a remarkably rapid expansion in geographic distribution and population densities in the Midwest and Northeast.  Specifically, I am using next-generation DNA sequencing technologies to identify its population structure and adaptive potential for continued geographic expansion.