That description strongly suggests a lone star tick if the white spot was on its back—adult female lone star ticks characteristically have a single white/silvery spot. However, identification from a description alone isn’t certain. (CDC)
If it was crawling rather than attached, it may not have bitten your son. Still, after a woodland walk, check his entire body and clothing carefully. If you find an attached tick, remove it promptly with fine-tipped tweezers by grasping it close to the skin and pulling steadily upward. (CDC)
Over the following weeks, watch for fever, rash, unusual fatigue, headache, muscle aches, or joint pain, and tell a healthcare professional about the tick exposure if symptoms appear. (CDC)
If you have a photo of the insect, send it here and I can help you assess what it looks like.
