trombiculid

Trombiculid refers to any member of the family Trombiculidae, a group of mites within the order Trombidiformes. The larval stage is commonly known as a chigger and is an ectoparasite of vertebrates, including humans. Adults and other life stages are free-living. The term is used for the mites as a group and for the larvae, which are the parasitic forms that attach to hosts.

Morphology and life cycle: In trombiculids, the larva is six-legged, whereas the later nymphal and adult stages have eight legs. Only the larval stage is parasitic on hosts; larvae attach to the skin and feed on tissue fluids after injecting digestive enzymes. Feeding typically forms a stylostome, a feeding tube produced by the larva. After feeding, the larva detaches and molts into nymphal stages and then into adults, which live independently in the environment.

Ecology and distribution: Trombiculids occur worldwide, with highest prevalence in warm, humid climates. They inhabit soil, leaf litter, grasses, and shrubs, particularly in rural and forested areas. Their hosts are diverse, including mammals, birds, and reptiles; humans are incidental hosts and may experience bites when exposed to infested habitats.

Medical significance: Chigger bites produce pruritic dermatitis known as trombiculiasis, often appearing as red, intensely itchy papules at bite sites, commonly on ankles, waistlines, or areas where clothing fits tightly. In many regions, specific trombiculid mites of the genus Leptotrombidium can act as vectors for Orientia tsutsugamushi, the bacterium causing scrub typhus, transmitted by the larval stage during feeding.

Prevention and control: Protective clothing, insect repellents, and careful monitoring of outdoor areas reduce exposure. Routine cleaning of clothing and bedding, vegetation management, and veterinary treatment for infested animals help control mite populations.