Ecological and inhost factors promoting distinct parasite life-history strategies in Lyme borreliosis

► Lyme disease cases vary considerably in hotspots in spite of similar tick prevalence. ► Vertebrate-tick transmission potential varies in time depending on parasite strain. ► Strains are identified as rapidly-cleared and persistent. ► We identify realistic ecological conditions that can favor each strain strategy. ► Models show rapid-clearance is a viable and competitive phenotype in the US.