Trombicula alfreddugesi (Chigger mites)

 

Images:

Chiggers, Trombicula, unengorged and engorged after feeding on tissue fluid

 

 

http://raptormites.babson.edu/trombicula-cynos.jpg

Life cycle:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://ipm.ncsu.edu/AG268/pics/chiggers.gif

 

 

 

 

Phylogeny:                              Class Arachnida

 

Metamorphosis:                      'Incomplete'.  Larvae and nymphs resemble adults.  Larvae are parasitic.

 

Geographical location:            North America and Europe

 

Organs affected:                      Skin

 

Symptoms and clinical signs:  Bite causes swelling and intense itching.  Infection may be debilitating due to loss of sleep.

 

Diseases transmitted.              Tsutsugamushi disease.

 

Treatment/control:                            Hot soap and water bath followed by the application of a 10% sulfur ointment containing 1% phenol relieve itching.  Residual insectides and repellents are used.