Trombiculidae

This article is about the harvest mite and chigger. For other uses, see Chigger (disambiguation).

Trombiculidae
Adult Trombidium holosericeum
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Arachnida
Subclass:	Acari
Order:	Trombidiformes
(unranked):	Parasitengona
Superfamily:	Trombidioidea
Family:	Trombiculidae Ewing, 1929 [1]
Type species
Trombicula autumnalis (Shaw, 1790)
Genera[2]
Acomatacarus Anahuacia Ascoschoengastia Axiogastia Blankaartia Brunehaldia Chatia Cheladonta Doloisia Euschoengastia Eutrombicula Gahrliepia Guntherana Guntheria Hannemania Heaslipia Hirsutiella Kayella Leptotrombidium Microtrombicula Miyatrombicula Neoschoengastia Neotrombicula Novotrombicula Ornithogastia Parasecia Pseudoschoengastia Schoengastiella Schoutedenichia Speleocola Trombicula Whartonia
The distribution of trombiculid species, which is nearly everywhere in the world.

Trombiculidae (pronounced /trɒmbɨˈkjuːlɨdiː/) is a family of mites called trombiculid mites (also called berry bugs; harvest mites; red bugs; scrub-itch mites; and aoutas.^[3]   In their larval stage, those species which bite their host and "causes intense irritation"^[4] or "a wheal, usually with severe itching and dermatitis,"^[5][6] are called chiggers.^[7]   The term chigger is often confused with the term jigger, the Chigoe flea. Trombiculidae live in the forests and grasslands and are also found in low, damp areas where vegetation is rank such as woodlands, berry bushes, orchards, along lakes and streams, and even in drier places where vegetation is low such as lawns, golf courses, and parks.^[8]

They are most numerous in early summer when grass, weeds and other vegetation are heaviest. In their larval stage they attach to various animals, including humans, and feed on skin, often causing itching. These relatives of ticks are nearly microscopic measuring 0.4 mm (1/60 of an inch) and have a chrome-orange hue.^[9][10] The (best known) species of chigger in Northern America^[11] is the hard-biting Trombicula alfreddugesi of the south-eastern United States and humid mid-west^[12] and Mexico; in the UK the most prevalent chigger is called the "harvest mite," the Trombicula autumnalis, with distribution through Western Europe to Eastern Asia, but is not found in North America nor Australia.^[13]

Trombiculid mites go through a life cycle of eggs, larva, nymph, and adult.^[14] The larval mites feed on the skin cells, but not blood, of animals, including humans. The six-legged parasitic larva feeds on a large variety of creatures including humans, rabbits, toads, box turtles, quail, and even some insects. After crawling onto their host, they inject digestive enzymes into the skin that break down skin cells. They do not actually "bite," but instead form a hole in the skin called a stylostome and chew up tiny parts of the inner skin, thus causing severe irritation and swelling. The severe itching is accompanied by red pimple-like bumps (papules) or hives and skin rash or lesions on a sun-exposed area. For humans, itching usually occurs after the larvae detach from the skin.^[15]

After feeding on their hosts, the larvae drop to the ground and become nymphs, then mature into adults which have 8 legs and are harmless to humans. In the post larval stage, they are not parasitic and feed on plant materials. The females lay 3–8 eggs in a clutch, usually on a leaf or under the roots of a plant, and die by autumn.^[15]

History

Trombiculidae, from Greek τρομειν ("to tremble") and Latin culex, gen. culicis ("gnat" or "midge"), was first described as an independent family by H.E. Ewing in 1944.^[16] Then, when the family was first described, it included two subfamilies, Hemitrombiculinae and Trombiculinae. Womersley added another, Leeuwenhoekiinae, which at the time only contained Leeuwenhoekia (Oudemans, 1911). Later he erected the family Leeuwenhoekiidae for the genus and subfamily, having six genera; they have a pair of submedian setae present on the dorsal plate.^[17]

References to chiggers, however, go as far back as sixth century China, and by 1733, the first recognization of trombiculid mites in North America were made. In 1758, Linnaeus described a single species Acarus batatas (Now Trombicula batatas). However, most information about chiggers came from problems that arose during and after World War II.^[18]

Distribution

Trombiculid mites are found throughout the world. In Europe and North America, they tend to be more prevalent in the hot and humid parts. In the more temperate regions, they are found only in the summer (in French, harvest mites are called aoûtat, or "August" flies^[19]). In the United States, they are found mostly in the southeast, the south, and the Midwest. They are not present, or barely found, in far northern areas, in high mountains and in deserts.^[20] In the British Isles, the species Trombicula autumnalis are called harvest mites, in North America the species Trombicula alfreddugesi, and the species Trombicula (eutrombicula) hirsti which are found in Australia and are commonly called the scrub-itch mite.^[21]

Life cycle

The life cycle of a harvest mite

The length of the mite's cycle depends on species and environment, but normally last 2 to 12 months (but may be longer). The number of cycles in a year depends on the region. For example, in a temperate region, there might only be 3 a year, but in tropical regions, the cycle might be continuous all year long.^[14] Adult harvest mites scuttle off yonder over winter to protected places such as slightly below the soil. Females become active in the spring, and once the ground temperature is regularly above 60 °F (16 °C), she lays eggs, up to 15 eggs per day in vegetation when soil temperatures are 60 °F (16 °C). Therefore, from April through early autumn up until the first frost, humans are susceptible to chigger bites.^[22] The larvae congregate in groups on small clods of earth, in matted vegetation and even on low bushes and plants, where they have more access to a prospective host. The eggs are dormant for about six days, after which the non-feeding pre-larvae emerge, with only three pairs of legs. After about six days, the pre-larva grows into its larval stage.^[14]

Larva

The larvae, commonly called chiggers, are about 0.17–0.21 mm (0.007–0.008 in) in diameter, normally light red, covered in hairs, and move quickly relative to size. There is a marked constriction in the front part of the body in the nymph and adult stage. The eggs are round in shape.Chigger is also an alternate term for the chigoe flea (Tunga penetrans), a sand flea found in tropical and subtropical climates in the Americas and Africa.^[23]

The name chigger originated as a corruption of chigoe. Also called scrub mite, red mite and several other names, they are found throughout temperate and tropical zones. Chiggers come in 3 stages: the deutovum, unfed larva, and engorged larva. Once in the egg developing, the larvae enclosed in a membrane in addition to the eggshell, are called deutovum. After hatching, the unfed larvae migrate to the highest area and wait for a host.

The larval stage is the only parasitic stage of the mite's life cycle. They are parasites to many animals. About 30 of the many species in this family, in their larval stage, attach to various animals, including amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals, and feed on skin. This often causes an intensely itchy red bump in humans (who are accidental hosts).^[14][24]

Chiggers attach to the host, pierce the skin, inject enzymes into the bite wound that digest cellular contents,^[25] and then suck up the digested tissue through a tube formed by hardened skin cells called a stylostome.^[15] They do not burrow into the skin or suck blood, as is commonly assumed. Itching from a chigger bite may not develop until 24–48 hours after the bite, so the victim may not associate the specific exposure with the bite itself.^[15] The red welt/bump on the skin is not where a chigger laid eggs, as is sometimes believed.^[26] The larva remains attached to a suitable host for 3 to 5 days before dropping off to begin its nymph stage.^[14]

Chiggers do not like sunlight or humidity. Note, however, that there appears to be some disagreement here, since many other authorities state that chiggers thrive in and need high humidity. During the wet season, chiggers are usually found in tall grass and other vegetation.^[22] During dry seasons, chiggers are mostly found underneath brush and shady areas.^[26][27]

Chiggers as disease vectors

For more details on this topic, see Scrub typhus.

Although the harvest mite chigger usually does not carry diseases in North American temperate climates, the Leptotrombidium deliense are considered a dangerous pest in East Asia and the South Pacific because they often carry Orientia tsutsugamushi, the tiny bacterium that causes scrub typhus, which is known alternatively as the Japanese river disease, scrub disease, or tsutsugamushi. The mites are infected by the Rickettsia passed down from parent to offspring before eggs are laid in a process called transovarial transmission. Symptoms of scrub typhus in humans include fever, headache, muscle pain, cough, and gastrointestinal symptoms.^[28][29]

Handling Chigger Bites

Because chigger wounds are a complex combination of enzymatic and the resulting mechanical damage, plus allergy and immune responses, plus possible secondary bacterial infection subject to local influences, there is no one remedy that works equally well for most people. It is typical for experienced people to say that any given method is useless, but that another works very well.

Itching can be alleviated through use of over-the-counter topical corticosteroids and antihistamines. Hot showers or baths also will help reduce itching. In cases of severe dermatitis or secondary infection associated with chigger bites, a doctor should be consulted.^[30]

There are dozens of methods for treating chigger bites:

• Topical anesthetic may work for short term relief of itching symptoms;
• soaking the bite location in water with Epsom Salts can cause the chiggers to become detached from the skin;
• A topical cream containing an antihistamine
• Wiping the affected area with isopropyl alcohol may also remove some of the offending pests.
• Chigarid, a spot treatment, is a popular, widely available soothing product that forms a protective collodion barrier over the wound.
• Chiggerex a widely available soothing cream.

Home Remedies

All remedies are here for academic purposes only. Never use any home remedy or other self treatment without being advised to do so by a physician.

Among the most popular and effective treatments all involve a hot shower or bath accompanied with vigorous scrubbing using cloth and (harsh) soap or typically one of various (drying) antiseptics such as bleach or alcohol as soon as possible.^[31]

For quick relief of the itching, splashing on Listerine mouth wash is among the most popular. Also popular is ammonia or Windex. Many others claim relief from various common insect bite or sting remedies.^[31]

There is an active debate over the efficacy of the popular remedy: sealing the bite with (clear) nail polish, which typically creates intense itching, often with the plastic film forming a quick, expanding "water blister." People who have experienced this claim that within an hour or so, the itching is gone and the wound will quickly heal. The other side typically argues something like: "Nail polish cannot "smother" the chigger because it has not burrowed into your skin, and it was probably scratched off long ago."^[32][33] That argument depends on the assumption that the polish supposedly killed a (burrowing) chigger, and if it didn't, the method must be a myth. It does not address the possibility that another mechanism, such as sealing the bite from air,^[34][35] or removing or neutralizing the stylostome and toxic enzymes otherwise known to remain embedded in the skin for over a week,^[36][37] might be at work.

Nymph

Once the larva has engorged itself on skin and has fallen off its host, the larva develops to its nymph stage. Like the larva, the nymphs are also sexually immature, but more closely resemble the adult.

This stage consists of three phases; the protonymph, deutonymph, and tritonymph, respectively. The protonymph and tritonymph morphology are unusual in species of Trombiculidae. The protonymph phase combines larval and protonymph characteristics with deutonymph and tritonymph morphology.^[38] The protonymph is an inactive transitional stage. The active deutonymph develops an additional pair of legs (for a total of eight). Lastly, it re-enters inactivity during its transitional tritonymph phase before growing to adulthood.^[14]

Adult

As a deutonymph and adult, trombiculid mites are independent predators that feed on small arthropods and their eggs, also found to eat plant material.^[14] They live in soil, often found when digging in yards and gardens.

Trombiculiasis

Main article: Trombiculosis

Trombiculiasis, also called Trombiculidiasis, is the term coined for the rash or infestation caused by trombiculid mites.^[39][40]

References

1. ^ "Trombiculidae Ewing, 1929 (Family)". SysTax - database query. Universität Ulm. http://www.biologie.uni-ulm.de/cgi-bin/system/zoosys.pl?id=97056&stufe=5&typ=ZOO&lang=e&sid=T&pr=nix&only=no&B4=ok&syno=y&valid=y. Retrieved 2009-03-06. 
2. ^ Shatrov, Andrey B.; Kudryashova, Naina I. (2008). "Taxonomic ranking of major trombiculid subtaxa with remarks on the evolution of host-parasite relationships (Acariformes: Parasitengona: Trombiculidae)". Annales Zoologici (Warsaw) 58 (2): 279–287. doi:10.3161/000345408X326591. 
3. ^ Smith, GA; V Sharma, JF Knapp, BJ Shields (1998). Pediatric emergency care. ed. The summer penile syndrome: seasonal acute hypersensitivity reaction caused by chigger bites on the. 14 (2 ed.). U.S.: Pediatric emergency care. pp. 116–118. http://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&lr=&q=info:49gX7aDTc_oJ:scholar.google.com/&output=viewport&pg=1. Retrieved May 22, 2009. 
4. ^ Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary, chiggers "causes intense irritation"
5. ^ chigger: Medical dictionary: "produces a wheal, usually with severe itching and dermatitis"
6. ^ Chigger: American Heritage Dictionary
7. ^ chigger: Dictionary.com, http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/chigger
8. ^ Ballantine, Todd (1991). Tideland treasure: the naturalist's guide to the beaches and salt marshes of Hilton Head Island and the southeastern coast. Columbia, South Carolina: University of South Carolina Press. pp. 1–4. ISBN 0-87249-795-X. 
9. ^ Mandell, Gerald L.; Bennett JE, Dolin R, (2005). "294". In 6th. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases.. Philadelphia: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone. ISBN 0443086869, 9780443086861. 
10. ^ Goldman, Lee; Dennis Arthur Ausiello (2007). Cecil Medicine (23, illustrated, revised ed.). Elsevier Health Sciences. pp. 1032. 
11. ^ "Eutrombicula (Trombicula) alfreddugesi is the most familiar [chigger] in North America."
12. ^ "Eutrombicula alfreddugesi." "...from the Atlantic coast to the Midwest and southward..." Encyclopædia Britannica Online, 2011. Web. 10 Aug. 2011.
13. ^ N. autumnalis "has not been found in the Nearctic region...." http://www.vetstream.com/lapis/Content/Bug/bug00357
14. ^ ^{a b c d e f g} Durden, Lance A. (2002). Medical and veterinary entomology (3rd ed.). Academic Press. pp. 458. ISBN 9780125104517. http://books.google.com/?id=u4RGXGkRq5YC&pg=PA458&lpg=PA458&dq=trombiculidae+%22life+cycle%22. 
15. ^ ^{a b c d} Potter, M. F.; P. G. Koehler (March 1995. Revised February 2000. Reviewed January 2006.). "Invisible Itches: Insect and Non-Insect Causes". University of Florida, Depart. pp. 1–4. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/MG/MG34300.pdf. Retrieved 2009-05-22. 
16. ^ Scarborough, John (1998). Medical and Biological Terminologies. Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press. pp. 122. ISBN 0806130296. 
17. ^ E.W. Ewing (Oct. 1946). The Journal of Parasitology. 32. pp. 435–440. JSTOR 3272913. 
18. ^ Bowman, Dwight D.; Hendrix, Charles M.; Lindsay, David S.; Barr, Stephen C. (2002). Feline clinical parasitology. Wiley-Blackwell. pp. 385–86. ISBN 0813803330. 
19. ^ "Aoûtat : Definition" (in French). Vulgaris - medical. http://www.vulgaris-medical.com/encyclopedie/aoutat-522.html. Retrieved 2009-05-19. 
20. ^ Vater, G. (2006). "The geographical distribution of the harvest mite Neotrombicula autumnalis (Acari: Trombiculidae)." (in German). CABI (Bezirks-Hygieneinspektion und -Institut Leipzig, Abteilung Medizinische Parasitologie, 7010 Leipzig, German Democratic Republic.: CABI): 1–2. http://www.cababstractsplus.org/abstracts/Abstract.aspx?AcNo=19830598840. Retrieved May 18, 2009. 
21. ^ Hirst, A. (1929). ""On the "scrub itch mite" of North Queensland (Trombicula hirsti Sambon)" — A possible carrier of tropical pseudotyphus". Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 22 (5): 451–452. doi:10.1016/S0035-9203(29)90067-5. http://download.journals.elsevierhealth.com/pdfs/journals/0035-9203/PIIS0035920329900675.pdf. 
22. ^ ^{a b} "ArmaXX Pest Control". http://www.armaxx.com/chigger.html. Retrieved 2008-06-24. 
23. ^ Gosling, Peter J. (2005). Dictionary of parasitology. Boca Raton: CRC Taylor & Francis. ISBN 0-415-30855-0. 
24. ^ "ACES Publications : CHIGGERS : ANR-1109". http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-1109/. Retrieved 2008-06-24. 
25. ^ Finke, D.L. (1998-10-01). "University of MD Chigger Fact sheet" (PDF). http://www.hgic.umd.edu/_media/documents/hg66.pdf. Retrieved 2007-05/25. 
26. ^ ^{a b} About.com: Chiggers Pediatric Dermatology Basics
27. ^ University of Florida: IFAS Extension
28. ^ Service, Mike (2008). Medical Entomology for Students (4, illustrated, revised ed.). Published by Cambridge University Press, 2008. pp. 250–252 of 289 pages. ISBN 0521709288, 9780521709286. http://books.google.com/?id=wRrof4RLDuwC&pg=PA251&dq=harvest+mites+scrub+typhus. 
29. ^ "CDC - Scrub Typhus Reemergence in the Maldives". http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/eid/vol9no12/03-0212.htm. Retrieved 2008-06-24. 
30. ^ 2006, Field Guide to Venomous and Medically Important Invertebrates Affecting Military Operations: Identification, Biology, Symptoms, Treatment
31. ^ ^{a b} 143 Home Remedies for Chigger Bites: http://www.myhomeremedies.com/static/chigger-bites.html
32. ^ Nail polish: http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/avoid-outdoor-pests/chiggers
33. ^ Debate: "The chigger is long gone by the time nail polish is applied. [therefore] Nail polish does nothing to stop the itching of chigger bites" http://chigger-treatment.com/do-you-have-answers-to-these-chigger-questions/
34. ^ Stop itching - seal the bite from air: http://www.chigarid.com/chigaridfaqs/#ChigaridBiteTreatment
35. ^ "nail polish applied to the affected area sometimes does provide some relief as it seals the area so it cannot get into contact with air." http://www.steadyhealth.com/about/chigger_bites_cure.html
36. ^ Chiggers! mdc.mo.gov Untreated: "Your skin continues the itch, an allergic reaction to stylostome, for many days. The stylostome is eventually absorbed by your body, a slow process that takes a week to 10 days, or longer."
37. ^ Nail polish debate: "The blisters are gone and they don't itch at all after only an hour or so after trying it." http://www.medicinenet.com/chiggers_bites/discussion-361.htm
38. ^ Takahashi, M; Misumi, H; Urakami, H; Misumi, M; Matsumoto, I (2003). "Life cycle of Leptotrombidium pallidum (Acari: Trombiculidae), one of the vector mites of scrub typhus in Japan (Author abstract)". Ohara Sogo Byoin Nenpo (Japan) 45: 19–30. ISSN 0285-3671. http://sciencelinks.jp/j-east/article/200401/000020040103A0828660.php. 
39. ^ Baumann T (March 2001). "New treatment for harvest mite infestation". Archives of Internal Medicine 161 (5): 769. doi:10.1001/archinte.161.5.769. PMID 11231715. http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=11231715. 
40. ^ An "infestation" with Trombicula mites (chiggers). http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/trombiculiasis

External links

Arthropods portal

• "Chiggers!" at Missouri Department of Conservation
• Chiggers at Pestproducts.com
• 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
• Taxonomic information at UniProt Consortium and NCBI