Trombicula, known as chiggers, red bugs, harvest mites, scrub-itch mites, or berry bugs, are small arachnids (eight-legged arthropods) in the Trombiculidae family. In their larval stage, they attach to various animals and humans, then feed on skin, often causing itching and trombiculosis. These relatives of ticks are nearly microscopic, measuring 0.4 mm (0.01 in), and have a chrome-orange hue. A common species of harvest mite in North America is Trombicula alfreddugesi.

The larval mites feed on the skin cells, but not blood, of animals. The six-legged parasitic larva feeds on a large variety of creatures, including humans, rabbits, wallabies, toads, box turtles, quail, and even some insects. After crawling onto their hosts, they inject digestive enzymes into the skin that break down skin cells. They live in low, damp areas within forests and grasslands, as well as in drier environments where vegetation is low-growing but profuse, such as lawns, golf courses and parks. They are most numerous in early summer when grass, weeds and other vegetation are most prevalent. Harvest mites can also find their way into homes via human hosts who have passed through such areas.

Taxonomy

Species include:

See also

  • Chigger bite
  • Human parasite
  • List of human parasites

References

Further reading

  • The World Book Encyclopedia, 2000 ed.
  • Encyclopædia Britannica, 2005 ed. .
  • "Chiggers!" at Missouri Department of Conservation
  • Iowa State University Department of Entomology Insect Information Note
  • NIH Medline Plus
  • Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet, Entomology, Chiggers, HYG-2100-98
  • Trombicula autmunalis