Eutrombicula alfreddugesi

arachnid

Also known as: Trombicula alfreddugesi, Trombicula irritans

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Last updated

June 26, 2026

Quick Summary

Eutrombicula alfreddugesi is a species of chigger, which are the larval stage of certain mites. While the term "chigger" can be mistakenly applied to other insects, it specifically refers to these mite larvae. These tiny creatures, often less than a millimeter long, are known for their parasitic nature on vertebrates, including humans.

In North America, Eutrombicula alfreddugesi is a common chigger that attacks humans. Its larvae can penetrate clothing and attach to the skin, injecting a digestive fluid that causes intense itching and forms a hardened tube around the feeding site. After feeding, the larva detaches, develops into a nymph, and then an adult. Unlike the larvae, the nymph and adult stages are not parasitic and feed on plant material or other arthropods.1

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chigger
…is Eutrombicula alfreddugèsi (also called Trombicula irritans). This species occurs from the Atlantic coast to the Midwest and southward to Mexico. The tiny larvae easily penetrate clothing. Once on the skin surface, they attach themselves and inject a fluid that digests tissue and causes severe itching. The surrounding tissue hardens,…
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…is Eutrombicula alfreddugèsi (also called Trombicula irritans). This species occurs from the Atlantic coast to the Midwest and southward to Mexico. The tiny larvae easily penetrate clothing. Once on the skin surface, they attach themselves and inject a fluid that digests tissue and causes severe itching. The surrounding tissue hardens,…
Read More