Community identification
Chigger
Trombicula (genus)
- Order & Family
- Order: Trombidiformes; Family: Trombiculidae
- Size
- 0.15 to 0.3 mm (larval stage is nearly invisible to the naked eye).
Natural Habitat
Tall grass, woodlands, low-lying damp areas, and berry patches.
Diet & Feeding
Larvae feed on liquefied skin tissue (not blood); adults feed on small insects and insect eggs in soil.
Behavior Patterns
Larvae wait on vegetation to crawl onto a host. They attach to the skin, inject digestive enzymes, and feed for several days before dropping off to molt.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Causes intense itching and red welts (Trombiculiasis). Benefit: Adults play a minor role in soil health by feeding on other small pests.