Chigger (or Red Bug)
Scientific Name: Trombicula spp. (or various genera within the Trombiculidae family, e.g., Neotrombicula)
Order & Family: Order: Trombidiformes, Family: Trombiculidae (or various families within the Trombiculidae superfamily)
Size: Larvae (chiggers) are very small, typically 0.15-0.3 mm (about 1/100 inch) and barely visible to the naked eye, appearing as tiny red dots. Adults are larger, up to 1 mm, and are red or orange.
Natural Habitat
Chiggers are commonly found in grassy fields, forests, along lake and stream banks, and in other vegetated areas, especially where there is dense vegetation, tall weeds, and brush. They prefer warm, humid environments.
Diet & Feeding
In their larval stage, chiggers feed on the liquefied tissue of vertebrates, including humans, birds, reptiles, and other mammals. Adult and nymph chiggers are predators, feeding on small invertebrates like insect eggs and other small arthropods.
Behavior Patterns
Chiggers (the larval stage of mites) typically infest areas where clothing is tight or skin folds, such as ankles, armpits, and groin. Once they attach, they inject digestive enzymes that break down host skin cells, which they then consume. The bite itself is often painless, but an itchy welt develops several hours to a day later and can last for a week or more. Chiggers do not burrow into the skin, nor do they feed on blood; they feed on liquefied tissue.
Risks & Benefits
Potential risks include intense itching, allergic reactions, and secondary bacterial infections from scratching. While generally harmless beyond discomfort, severe infestations can be very irritating. In some regions, chiggers can transmit scrub typhus (Orientia tsutsugamushi), though this is primarily in Asia and the Pacific Islands and not common in North America. They generally offer no direct benefits to humans, but as part of the ecosystem, adult and nymph mites contribute to pest control by preying on smaller invertebrates.
Identified on: 9/4/2025