Hemophage: Blood-Feeding Organisms

A hemophage (from Greek haima = blood, phagein = to eat) is an organism that feeds on blood.

Examples

• Insects: mosquitoes, fleas, bed bugs, kissing bugs.
• Arachnids: ticks, mites.
• Annelids: leeches.
• Mammals: vampire bats.

Adaptations

Specialized mouthparts (proboscis, chelicerae), anticoagulants (hirudin, apyrase), and sensory cues (CO₂, heat) for host location.