How does a Lyme tick bite? - briefly
A tick attaches its front legs to the skin, pierces the surface with its hypostome, and pumps saliva containing anticoagulants while it ingests blood; this process can introduce the Lyme‑causing bacterium. The bite is usually painless and may go unnoticed for several hours.
How does a Lyme tick bite? - in detail
The tick responsible for transmitting Lyme disease actively searches for a host by climbing vegetation and extending its forelegs. Sensory organs on the legs detect carbon dioxide, heat, and movement, prompting the insect to climb onto a passing animal or human. Once contact is made, the tick grasps the skin with its chelicerae and inserts a hypostome—a barbed feeding tube—into the epidermis. The barbs anchor the mouthpart, preventing detachment during the prolonged feeding period.
During attachment, the tick releases saliva that contains anticoagulants, anesthetic compounds, and immunomodulatory proteins. These substances keep blood flowing, mask the bite from the host’s pain receptors, and suppress local immune responses. Saliva also serves as the delivery vehicle for the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Transmission typically requires the tick to remain attached for at least 36–48 hours; earlier removal reduces infection risk dramatically.
The feeding cycle proceeds through distinct phases:
- Early attachment (0–24 h): insertion of hypostome, secretion of lubricating fluid, establishment of a feeding cavity.
- Mid‑stage (24–48 h): increase in saliva volume, expansion of the cavity, rapid blood intake.
- Late stage (48–72 h): maximal engorgement, preparation for detachment, continued pathogen transfer.
After engorgement, the tick detaches and drops to the ground to molt or lay eggs. The entire process hinges on precise sensory detection, mechanical anchoring, and biochemical manipulation of the host’s tissue to facilitate blood acquisition and pathogen transmission.