What is the main body part that ticks use to latch onto their hosts?

Ticks use their mouthparts to latch onto their hosts. These mouthparts are specifically adapted for piercing the skin of their host and anchoring themselves securely while feeding on blood. The structural design of ticks' mouthparts, which include a hypostome equipped with barbs, facilitates a strong grip and allows them to remain attached for extended periods. This adaptation is crucial for their survival, as it enables them to efficiently obtain the nutrients they require while feeding.

While legs, antennas, and antennae are important for ticks in various other functions like movement and sensory perception, none serve the primary purpose of attachment during feeding. The mouthparts are, therefore, the essential body structure utilized by ticks to latch onto their hosts effectively.