Why ticks are needed in nature: role and practical significance

Ticks represent a huge group of arachnids. About 25 thousand of their species are counted. They differ dimensions, color, structure. When they are seen, most people are disgusted, they have associations associated with bitesthat can be dangerous to humans. Involuntarily the question arises as to why ticks are needed in nature, for some reason they exist. Or maybe they actually benefit. Believe it with difficulty.

The role of ticks in nature

Many people do not know, and some did not even think about the practical significance of ticks in nature. Despite the fact that they carry dangerous diseasesthat can even be fatal, they also have benefits. Useful mites are armored. The benefits of these and other species are as follows:

1. Arthropods are involved in the process of soil formation. By decomposing organic matter, they thereby enrich the soil with nitrogen. As a result, fertility increases. For agriculture, this task is one of the priorities.
2. Some species of arachnids, such as phytoseids, destroy their relatives - spider arthropodsthat cause significant harm to agriculture. They are able to destroy about 70% of the crop.
3. Ticks clean plants infected with fungal spores.

   

4. In medicine, enzymes (anticoagulants) are used, which are contained in the saliva of parasites that prevent blood coagulation. Scientists also study antigens, which contribute to the formation of protective reactions and antibodies in the body.
5. Some species are involved in the production of certain types of cheese.

Therefore, ticks are important for humans; they, like other animals and insects, are an important link, preserve natural selection and balance in nature.

Tick ​​Harm

Parasites - carriers of dangerous diseases: borreliosis, encephalitisscabies relapsing feverspotted fever and other diseases. The most dangerous - ixodic varieties, especially taiga, which are often called encephalitis ticks. Since their main source of nutrition is blood, infection occurs immediately after a bite.

Feedback:

FROM taiga tick our family knows firsthand. This parasite bit my grandfather, who lived in the Novosibirsk region. First, my grandfather paralyzed his right hand, then his left. Paralysis spread to his legs and head. 2 years he was bedridden and died.

Victor, Novosibirsk

Different types of these representatives of the fauna cause nature and humanity a lot of problems. Flour parasites eat cereals, ear mites cause a lot of trouble for pets - to dogs and catscausing severe itching. Spider web representatives parasitize on indoor flowers and crops. Therefore, people do not understand why ticks are needed. Since nature itself created them, it means that they fulfill a certain role, fulfilling the tasks set by evolution.