Who do bugs bite? - briefly
Bugs primarily bite humans and a wide range of animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Some species also feed on other insects or themselves.
Who do bugs bite? - in detail
Insects and arachnids that feed on blood or tissue select hosts based on species, life stage, and environmental conditions.
Mosquitoes (Culicidae) preferentially target warm‑blooded vertebrates. Females of most genera bite humans, birds, and mammals; some species, such as Aedes aegypti, show a strong preference for humans, while Culex spp. favor birds. Host selection is guided by carbon dioxide exhalation, body heat, and skin odor compounds.
Ticks (Ixodida) attach to mammals, birds, and reptiles. Hard ticks (Ixodidae) often feed on larger mammals, including livestock and humans, whereas soft ticks (Argasidae) may prefer birds and small mammals. Questing behavior and host‑seeking chemicals determine which animals are bitten.
Fleas (Siphonaptera) infest mammals and birds. The cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis) commonly bites cats and dogs but will also feed on humans. Rodent fleas, such as Xenopsylla cheopis, specialize in rats and are vectors of plague.
Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are obligate hematophages of humans and other warm‑blooded hosts. They locate victims through heat, carbon dioxide, and kairomones, biting exposed skin during rest periods.
Sandflies (Phlebotominae) transmit pathogens to mammals and birds. Species like Phlebotomus preferentially bite humans and dogs, while Lutzomyia spp. often target rodents.
Mites (Acari) include species that bite humans (e.g., Sarcoptes scabiei causing scabies) and those that target livestock (e.g., Psoroptes spp.). Feeding habits range from epidermal penetration to deeper tissue ingestion.
Stinging insects such as wasps and hornets (Vespidae) attack vertebrates only when threatened; their bites or stings deliver venom but are not a regular feeding behavior.
In summary, blood‑feeding arthropods exhibit host specificity shaped by sensory cues, ecological niche, and physiological requirements. Humans, domestic animals, wildlife, and birds constitute the primary groups subjected to bites across these taxa.