What does the red‑bodied tick feed on? - briefly
The red‑bodied tick is an obligate hematophage, extracting blood from mammals such as dogs, humans, rodents, and larger wildlife, and it will also feed on birds when available. Its feeding activity occurs during all active life stages—larva, nymph, and adult.
What does the red‑bodied tick feed on? - in detail
The red‑bodied tick requires a blood meal at each developmental stage.
Larvae attach to small vertebrates—primarily rodents, shrews, ground‑dwelling birds, and occasionally lizards. Feeding lasts 2–4 days, after which the larvae detach, molt, and become nymphs.
Nymphs expand the host range to include medium‑sized mammals such as rabbits, hares, foxes, and some ground‑nesting birds. The nymphal blood meal typically endures 3–5 days before detachment and subsequent molting to the adult form.
Adult females seek large mammals for a substantial engorgement required for egg production. Preferred hosts are deer, cattle, horses, and humans; males may feed opportunistically on the same species but for shorter periods. Adult feeding can extend up to 7 days, during which the tick ingests several milliliters of blood.
Key characteristics of the feeding process:
- Attachment: Cement-like saliva secures the mouthparts to the host’s skin.
- Salivation: Bioactive compounds suppress host immunity and prevent clotting.
- Engorgement: Tick expands its body volume up to 100‑fold.
- Detachment: After completing the meal, the tick drops off to lay eggs (females) or seek another host (males).
Host selection is influenced by habitat, seasonal activity, and host availability. In northern regions, larvae emerge in early spring, nymphs peak in late spring, and adults are most active in midsummer. In warmer climates, all stages may be present year‑round, expanding the spectrum of potential hosts.
Understanding the specific host preferences at each life stage informs control measures and predicts the likelihood of pathogen transmission to humans and livestock.