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Parasites, to which ticks (Ixodida) belong, are unpleasant contemporaries that can lead to serious illnesses. But scientists also see a benefit in them, as explained below.

In a nutshell

  • Bloodsuckers transmit diseases and strengthen their hosts at the same time
  • many animals depend on these parasites
  • bring benefits to the ecosystem

use as food

Under optimal conditions, ticks occur in large numbers. If they are fully sucked, they can survive for many years on just one "ration" and continue to multiply.

There are numerous animal species in nature that feed on parasites. Worms and mosquitoes are at the top of the list, followed by ticks. They are thus significantly involved in the regulation of other living creature populations. If there were no tick parasites, this would significantly reduce the food supply. It would make it more difficult for many animals to search for food and, in the worst case, ultimately starve several species that depend on food in nature. The Ixodida is important for the following animals, for example:

  • throttles
  • lizards
  • pheasants
  • Hedgehog
  • crow
  • moles
  • partridges
  • pigeons

Notice: Also, as a food object, the tick can transmit pathogens to its natural predators once they come in contact with the blood. In the worst case, they themselves become carriers of the disease.

acceleration of evolution

Researchers at universities in Bern, Switzerland, and Finland have come to the conclusion that the blood-sucking parasites boost evolution. Parasites burden living beings when infested. As a result, the viable system continues to develop in order to better counteract "tick attacks" or to be able to circumvent the disturbances triggered by them. This leads to changes and accordingly to accelerated evolution in some species. The researchers assume that in some living beings this will lead to offspring that will increasingly have to fear fewer health consequences from the parasites.

immune system benefits

Yes, the tick can transmit life-threatening pathogens, but the bite also stimulates the immune system. If a tick is discovered quickly and professionally removed, the risk of serious illness in most living beings is low. The bite immediately puts animal and human body systems on "alert". The body's own defense system is stimulated and sent off for elimination. Without such stimuli from foreign/hazardous substances, the immune system increasingly falls into a kind of dormant mode and continuously degrades itself. This means: your own defenses are sinking and your body is becoming less and less capable of defending itself against it on its own. The susceptibility to diseases increases. A life completely without parasites like these bloodsuckers would mean for significantly more living beings not surviving even minor illnesses.

Notice: That doesn't mean that Mon should provoke tick bites. There are other, less risky, ways to boost the immune system.

egg tray

Some wasps prefer the nymphs and tick larvae to lay their eggs in their bodies. When the wasp hatches, it feeds on the tick innards. As a result, the tick offspring die.

These chalcids in particular find places to lay their eggs in the parasites:

  • Ixodiphagus hookeri, I. texanus, I. theilerae

Ticks against cancer

In Brazil, researchers have studied the saliva of the Ixodida. They came to the conclusion that it contains molecules that could potentially be useful in the fight against cancer cells. According to the researchers, these molecules show reactions on the cells that make killing likely. Exact investigations are not yet available, but these results have aroused interest in science worldwide, so that more extensive investigations can be expected in the near future.

protection of native species

More and more animal species are being introduced from abroad. These include those that multiply extremely quickly and spread so rapidly that they displace native species. In other words: the habitat of native species is diminishing. Parasites such as ticks play a major role here, because they also find hosts in the animal species that have been introduced and cause many of them health damage. In some species, ticks are often also able to disrupt the reproduction of such invasive species. In this way, at least where the bloodsuckers are, a massive spread is prevented. A researcher from the University of California was able to determine in a study that parasites are of immense importance in "controlling" the size of the population.

frequently asked Questions

Do ticks have a use in the home?

No. Living areas are not part of their natural habitat. Since a bite should not be provoked, providing you, your family and/or your pet(s) with potential food sources, ticks should not be kept in the living area. They achieve most of their benefits only in the great outdoors.

Tick in the garden - what to do?

Here it is important to weigh the benefit and risk. The currently known level of utilization of the bloodsuckers is well below the level of risk of being transmitted pathogens through a bite. Therefore, if there is a tick in the garden, the following always applies: dispose of it!

Are all tick species equally useful?

There are currently 19 known tick species in Germany. They have the same main properties that are mentioned as useful in the article. Unfortunately, they are all equally considered to be carriers of pathogens.

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Category:

Animals in the garden