Tick attachment and feeding: role of the mouthparts, feeding apparatus, salivary gland secretions and the host response

Publisher Summary Many ticks are highly selective in their choice of site before penetrating the host skin with their chelicerae digits. Attachment is secured by large teeth on the hypostome and this can be strengthened by secretion of attachment cement. Feeding of argasid ticks is usually completed within an hour, during which time total tick weight increases up to 12 times. In the course of adult life, the feeding process may be repeated several times with each blood meal followed by a bout of laying eggs. Host tissues and fluids are sucked in by a pharyngeal pump with its associated valve, and passed through the esophagus to the midgut, which accommodates the blood meal in multiple sac-like diverticula. Feeding is promoted by secretions from the salivary glands that pass out through the salivary ducts and into the host via the same channel through which food is ingested. The chapter explains that the mouthparts and feeding apparatus are an important point of exchange between the tick and its host. The buccal canal is a common duct for the intake of host tissue fluids and for the output of tick saliva.