What do red-bodied ticks eat? - briefly
Red‑bodied ticks are hematophagous ectoparasites that feed on the blood of vertebrate hosts, primarily small mammals, birds and reptiles. They attach during larval, nymphal and adult stages to obtain necessary nutrients.
What do red-bodied ticks eat? - in detail
Red‑bodied ticks, members of the genus Amblyomma with a distinctive reddish dorsal shield, are obligate hematophages. Their diet consists exclusively of vertebrate blood, obtained during prolonged attachment periods that may last from several days to weeks, depending on the developmental stage.
Larval stage feeds primarily on small mammals and ground‑dwelling birds. Typical hosts include:
- White‑footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus)
- Eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus)
- Nestling passerines such as sparrows and warblers
Nymphs expand their host range to medium‑sized vertebrates. Frequent hosts are:
- Eastern cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus flammifer)
- Gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis)
- Ground‑dwelling birds, especially quail and pheasants
Adult ticks target large mammals, often those that provide ample blood volume for reproductive needs. Common adult hosts comprise:
- White‑tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)
- Wild boar (Sus scrofa)
- Domestic livestock, including cattle and horses
In addition to vertebrate blood, red‑bodied ticks acquire essential nutrients through symbiotic bacteria housed in their midgut. These endosymbionts synthesize B‑vitamins absent in the blood meal, supplementing the tick’s metabolic requirements.
Feeding behavior follows a three‑phase pattern: questing for a host, attachment and insertion of the hypostome, and slow ingestion of blood while secreting anticoagulant and immunomodulatory compounds. The tick’s salivary cocktail facilitates prolonged feeding and may transmit pathogens such as Rickettsia spp. and Coxiella burnetii.
Overall, the red‑bodied tick’s diet is strictly hematophagous, with host selection varying by life stage and ecological availability, while symbiotic microorganisms provide complementary nutritional support.