What do ticks feed on besides blood? - briefly
In addition to blood, ticks can ingest host lymph and interstitial fluid while attached. Some free‑living stages also acquire sugars from plant nectar when not feeding on a host.
What do ticks feed on besides blood? - in detail
Ticks are obligate hematophages, yet several species and developmental stages supplement their diet with additional resources.
Host‑derived fluids constitute the first category. While ingesting blood, ticks also draw plasma, serum and lymph that seep from the feeding wound. In soft‑tick genera such as Ornithodoros and Argas, the mouthparts permit the uptake of interstitial fluid from the host’s skin, providing proteins and nutrients without full blood ingestion.
Environmental water represents a second source. Many ixodid ticks absorb moisture from humid air through their cuticle or by drinking from damp substrates. This hydration is essential during prolonged off‑host periods, especially for larvae and nymphs that may remain unfed for months.
Plant‑derived sugars are documented in a limited number of soft‑tick species. Argas persicus and related avian ticks have been observed visiting flowers or feeding on honeydew, acquiring carbohydrates that support metabolism between blood meals.
Occasional cannibalism or predation occurs in crowded aggregations. Nymphs and adults may consume conspecific eggs or dead ticks, obtaining lipids and proteins that accelerate development.
In summary, ticks primarily rely on blood, but they also exploit host plasma, lymph, interstitial fluid, environmental moisture, plant sugars, and, in rare cases, conspecific tissues to meet their nutritional requirements.