''Trombicula alfreddugesi'', also called ''Eutrombicula alfreddugesi'', is a species in the genus ''

Trombicula ''Trombicula'', known as chiggers, red bugs, scrub-itch mites, or berry bugs, are small arachnids (eight-legged arthropods) in the Trombiculidae family. In their larval stage, they attach to various animals, including humans, and feed on skin, ...

''. (''

Eutrombicula ''Eutrombicula'' is a genus of mites in the family Trombiculidae. The species of this genus are found throughout North America, and Australia. The genus was first described by Henry Ellsworth Ewing in 1938. Two genera of chigger mites, each ...

'' is a subgenus of mites in ''Trombicula'' of the family Trombiculidae.) It is the common

chigger ''Trombicula'', known as chiggers, red bugs, scrub-itch mites, or berry bugs, are small arachnids (eight-legged arthropods) in the Trombiculidae family. In their larval stage, they attach to various animals, including humans, and feed on skin, ...

species of the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...

, also sometimes called the

harvest mite Trombiculidae (); commonly referred to in North America as chiggers and in Britain as harvest mites, but also known as berry bugs, bush-mites, red bugs or scrub-itch mites, are a family of mites. Chiggers are often confused with jiggers – a t ...

. Chiggers are the parasitic larval stages of these free-living mites. They are rarely seen in the dry Western states because the species prefers humid climates."Eutrombicula alfreddugesi"
''

Encyclopædia Britannica The (Latin for "British Encyclopædia") is a general knowledge English-language encyclopaedia. It is published by Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.; the company has existed since the 18th century, although it has changed ownership various time ...

'' online, retrieved 10 August 2011: "occurs from the Atlantic coast to the Midwest and southward to Mexico". They are commonly found in undergrowth and grassy brush areas; the larvae host on animals (e.g. reptiles, birds, and wild and domestic mammals), causing welts that can turn into

dermatitis Dermatitis is inflammation of the skin, typically characterized by itchiness, redness and a rash. In cases of short duration, there may be small blisters, while in long-term cases the skin may become thickened. The area of skin involved can v ...

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q7845315 Trombiculidae Arachnids of North America Taxa named by Anthonie Cornelis Oudemans