Although related to the malarial organisms, and parasite of red blood cells of mammals, these parasites have a much simpler life cycle. They divide asexually in erythrocytes, infect new erythrocytes, and so on. They are transmitted between hosts by ticks, which often feed on one host, then detach and seek a new host to continue feeding and development. Babesiosis is a serious disease in cattle in warmer climates. Severe anemia and death are common.