Tlālzahuatl (Trombiculidae) ce yōlcatzizin.
Trombiculidae (/trɒmbɪˈkjuːlɪdiː/); 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.[3] Chiggers are often confused with jiggers – a type of flea. Several species of Trombiculidae in their larva stage bite their animal or human host and by embedding their mouthparts into the skin cause "intense irritation"[4] or "a wheal, usually with severe itching and dermatitis".[5][6][7]
Trombiculidae live in forests and grasslands and are also found in the vegetation of low, damp areas 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 400 µm (1/60 of an inch) and have a chrome-orange hue.[9][10] There is a marked constriction in the front part of the body in the nymph and adult stages. The best known species of chigger in North America[11] is the hard-biting Trombicula alfreddugesi of the Southeastern United States, humid Midwest[12] and Mexico. In the UK, the most prevalent harvest mite is Neotrombicula autumnalis, which is distributed through Western Europe to Eastern Asia.[13]
Trombiculid mites go through a lifecycle of egg, larva, nymph, and adult.[14] The larval mites feed on the skin cells of animals. The six-legged parasitic larvae feed on a large variety of creatures, including humans, rabbits, toads, box turtles, quail, and even some insects. After crawling onto their hosts, 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 eight legs and are harmless to humans. In the postlarval stage, they are not parasitic and feed on plant material. The females lay three to eight eggs in a clutch, usually on a leaf or under the roots of a plant, and die by autumn.[15]
Trombiculidae, from Greek τρομειν ("to tremble") and Latin culex, genitive culicis ("gnat" or "midge"), was first described as an independent family by Henry Ellsworth 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 contained only Leeuwenhoekia. 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 recognition of trombiculid mites in North America was made (citation needed). In 1758, Carl 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]
Trombiculid mites are found throughout the world. In Europe and North America, they tend to be more prevalent in the hot and humid regions. In northern Europe, including the British Isles where they are called harvest mites, the species Neotrombicula autumnalis are found during the summer and autumn (in French, harvest mites are called aoûtat because they are common in August[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, high mountains, and deserts.[20] 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]
The length of the mite's cycle depends on species and environment, but normally lasts two to 12 months. The number of cycles in a year depends on the region. For example, in a temperate region, only three per year may occur, but in tropical regions, the cycle might be continuous all year long.[14] Adult harvest mites winter in protected places such as slightly below the soil surface. Females become active in the spring, and once the ground temperature is regularly above 16 °C (60 °F), they lay eggs in vegetation, up to 15 eggs per day. The eggs are round and are dormant for about six days, after which the nonfeeding prelarvae emerge, with only three pairs of legs. After about six days, the prelarvae grow into their larval stage.[14]
The larvae, commonly called chiggers, are about 170–210 μm (0.007–0.008 in) in diameter, normally light red in color, and covered in hairs; they move quickly relative to size. The larvae congregate in groups on small clods of soil, in matted vegetation, and even on low bushes and plants, where they have more access to prospective hosts.
The larval stage is the only parasitic stage of the mite's lifecycle. They are parasites on many animals. About 30 of the many species in this family, in their larval stage, attach to various animals and feed on skin. This often causes intensely itchy, red bumps in humans.[14][22]
Chiggers attach to the host, pierce the skin, inject enzymes into the bite wound that digest cellular contents,[23] and then suck up the digested tissue through a tube formed by hardened skin cells called a stylostome.[24] 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.[25] The larvae remain attached to suitable hosts for three to five days before dropping off to begin their nymphal stage.[14] They tend to attach where clothing has restrictions, such as belt lines, or behind the knees when wearing jeans.
During the wet season, chiggers are usually found in tall grass and other vegetation.[26] During dry seasons, chiggers are mostly found underneath brush and shady areas.[25][27] Standing still or lying in tall grass gives them more time to climb onto a person.
Once the larva has engorged itself on skin and has fallen off its host, it develops to its nymph stage. The nymph is sexually immature, but more closely resembles the adult.
This stage consists of three phases, the protonymph, deutonymph, and tritonymph. The protonymph and tritonymph morphologies are unusual in species of Trombiculidae. The protonymph phase combines larval and protonymph characteristics with deutonymph and tritonymph morphology.[28] 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]
As deutonymphs and adults, trombiculid mites are independent predators that feed on small arthropods and their eggs, and are also found to eat plant material.[14] They live in soil, and are often found when digging in yards or gardens or in compost bins.
Recently (2018), methods based on autofluorescence microscopy were developed to enable identification of trombiculid mites to the species level on the basis of morphological traits without any special preparation.[29]
Trombiculosis, also called trombiculiasis and trombiculidiasis, is the term coined for the rash or infestation caused by trombiculid mite larvae.[30][31]
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, no one remedy works equally well for most people.
The chiggers' digestive enzymes in the saliva cause "the intensely itchy welts".[32] The itching can be alleviated through use of over-the-counter topical corticosteroids and antihistamines. According to Mayo Clinic, the chiggers "fall off after a few days, leaving behind red, itchy welts", which normally heal on their own within one to two weeks.[33] Hot showers or baths also help reduce itching. In cases of severe dermatitis or secondary infection associated with chigger bites, a doctor should be consulted.[34]
According to an Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet:[35]
... After returning from a chigger-infested area, launder the field clothes in soapy, hot water (125°F.) ... As soon as possible, take a good hot bath or shower and soap repeatedly. The chiggers may be dislodged, but you will still have the stylostomes, causing the severe itch. Scratching deep to remove stylostomes can cause secondary infections. For temporary relief of itching, apply ointments of benzocaine, hydrocortisone, calamine lotion, New Skin, After Bite, or others recommended by your pharmacist or medical doctor. ... (The sooner the treatment, the better the results.)
Home remedies to "suffocate" the mite, such as applying clear nail polish, rubbing alcohol, or bleach, may have little benefit since the mites do not burrow into the skin. However, since the mite may still be attached for up to 3 days, these treatments could possibly kill the mite, reducing further damage.
Although the harvest mite chigger usually does not carry diseases in North American temperate climates, Leptotrombidium deliense is considered a dangerous pest in East Asia and the South Pacific because it often carries 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.[36][37]
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(help) Trombiculidae (/trɒmbɪˈkjuːlɪdiː/); 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 type of flea. Several species of Trombiculidae in their larva stage bite their animal or human host and by embedding their mouthparts into the skin cause "intense irritation" or "a wheal, usually with severe itching and dermatitis".
Trombiculidae live in forests and grasslands and are also found in the vegetation of low, damp areas 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. 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 400 µm (1/60 of an inch) and have a chrome-orange hue. There is a marked constriction in the front part of the body in the nymph and adult stages. The best known species of chigger in North America is the hard-biting Trombicula alfreddugesi of the Southeastern United States, humid Midwest and Mexico. In the UK, the most prevalent harvest mite is Neotrombicula autumnalis, which is distributed through Western Europe to Eastern Asia.
Trombiculid mites go through a lifecycle of egg, larva, nymph, and adult. The larval mites feed on the skin cells of animals. The six-legged parasitic larvae feed on a large variety of creatures, including humans, rabbits, toads, box turtles, quail, and even some insects. After crawling onto their hosts, 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.
After feeding on their hosts, the larvae drop to the ground and become nymphs, then mature into adults, which have eight legs and are harmless to humans. In the postlarval stage, they are not parasitic and feed on plant material. The females lay three to eight eggs in a clutch, usually on a leaf or under the roots of a plant, and die by autumn.
Los trombicúlidos (Trombiculidae) son una familia de ácaros conocidos vulgarmente como ácaros de la cosecha, ácaros rojos, tlazahuate (nahuatlismo de tlalzáhuatl, "sarna de la tierra"), aradores (en México), chivacoas o coloraditos (en Venezuela), coloradillas o chirotes (en Panamá), bichos colorados (en Argentina) o isangos (en la Amazonia Peruana).[1] Son ácaros diminutos (garrapatas, que habitan en vegetación baja como pastizales y matorrales y se adhieren a animales superiores que pasan cerca de ellos, para alimentarse de las células de la piel de sus huéspedes. Provocan un prurito intenso al hozar en la piel con sus quelíceros y secreciones proteolíticas.[2]
En América del Sur pueden llegar a proliferar en número prodigioso en algunos lugares, particularmente si hay presencia de ganado, pudiéndose coger literalmente puñados de ellos. Otros nombres con los que se conocen son coloradilla, tlalzahuate o pinolillo, ladilla (no hay que confundirlos con los piojos púbicos que también reciben este nombre), mismís o mismises, coquita, yaya, puca, piojitos de cigarra, baiburín, mojosa, etcétera. Aunque generalmente sólo molestan, algunas especies pueden transmitir el tifus bajo ciertas condiciones.
Las larvas son normalmente naranjas o rojas en color con sólo seis patas, pero desarrollan ocho en su fase de ninfa. Las larvas pueden medir más de 0.2 milímetros de tamaño.[3] Los ácaros adultos están sobre 1 mm de longitud.[3]
Los huevos son cubiertos con tierra húmeda. Después de salir del huevo, las larvas se posan en la brizna de la hierba y esperan por un potencial huésped. Con su «quelícero en forma de pala», se sujetan al huésped y se alimentan de los tejidos. Después de succionar los jugos celulares, lo que puede durar varios días, caen y se desarrollan en tres etapas de ninfa para convertirse totalmente en ácaros adultos.[3]
Los trombicúlidos (Trombiculidae) son una familia de ácaros conocidos vulgarmente como ácaros de la cosecha, ácaros rojos, tlazahuate (nahuatlismo de tlalzáhuatl, "sarna de la tierra"), aradores (en México), chivacoas o coloraditos (en Venezuela), coloradillas o chirotes (en Panamá), bichos colorados (en Argentina) o isangos (en la Amazonia Peruana). Son ácaros diminutos (garrapatas, que habitan en vegetación baja como pastizales y matorrales y se adhieren a animales superiores que pasan cerca de ellos, para alimentarse de las células de la piel de sus huéspedes. Provocan un prurito intenso al hozar en la piel con sus quelíceros y secreciones proteolíticas.
En América del Sur pueden llegar a proliferar en número prodigioso en algunos lugares, particularmente si hay presencia de ganado, pudiéndose coger literalmente puñados de ellos. Otros nombres con los que se conocen son coloradilla, tlalzahuate o pinolillo, ladilla (no hay que confundirlos con los piojos púbicos que también reciben este nombre), mismís o mismises, coquita, yaya, puca, piojitos de cigarra, baiburín, mojosa, etcétera. Aunque generalmente sólo molestan, algunas especies pueden transmitir el tifus bajo ciertas condiciones.
Les Trombiculés (Trombiculidae) sont une famille d'arachnides de l'ordre des Trombidiformes.
Selon BioLib (22 mars 2018)[1] :
Les Trombiculés (Trombiculidae) sont une famille d'arachnides de l'ordre des Trombidiformes.
Míol beag foghlach. Faightear na larbhaí bídeacha dearga sé-chosacha go flúirseach i bpáirceanna taise sa bhfómhar. Itheann siad trí fhuil mamach beag is daoine a shú, rud a chuireann tús le tochas géar is gríos.
La famiglia Trombiculidae comprende circa 3000 specie di acari lunghi da 1 a 3 mm. I Trombiculidi parassitizzano mammiferi (incluso l'uomo), rettili, uccelli. Nella stessa famiglia sono inclusi gli acari rossi che vivono sugli arbusti, soprattutto degli arbusti di mora, delle foreste del nord europeo.
Di colore bruno od a volte rosso, sono di forma ovale o leggermente ristretti nel mezzo. Corpo e zampe possono portare peli piuttosto lunghi, alcune specie hanno la superficie corporea vellutata.
Le specie della famiglia Trombiculidae sono cosmopolite. Vivono nel terreno e nelle tane di animali o sugli ospiti.
Le specie che attaccano l'uomo causano forti pruriti, dermatiti e reazioni allergiche. Alcune specie trasmettono la febbre delle inondazioni dai roditori all'uomo.
Le uova sono deposte sopra il terreno umido; le larve si arrampicano su fili d'erba in cerca di un ospite. Quelle di prima età si nutrono su mammiferi, uccelli, serpenti e lucertole, penetrando la pelle con cheliceri seghettati per nutrirsi di linfa e tessuti, o nel sistema tracheale. La larva matura si lascia cadere. Dopo una muta, preda piccoli Artropodi come i Collemboli.
La famiglia Trombiculidae comprende circa 3000 specie di acari lunghi da 1 a 3 mm. I Trombiculidi parassitizzano mammiferi (incluso l'uomo), rettili, uccelli. Nella stessa famiglia sono inclusi gli acari rossi che vivono sugli arbusti, soprattutto degli arbusti di mora, delle foreste del nord europeo.
Trombiculidae zijn een familie van mijten. Bij de familie zijn 152 geslachten met circa 3100 soorten ingedeeld. Een in Nederland bekend geslacht is die van de Oogstmijten (Trombicula).
De naam Trombiculidae werd voor het eerst als afzonderlijke familie beschreven door Henry Ellsworth Ewing in 1944.[1] Toen de familie voor het eerst werd beschreven, omvatte het twee subfamilies, Hemitrombiculinae en Trombiculinae. Verwijzingen naar deze mijten gaan echter terug tot het zesde-eeuwse China. In 1733 werd de eerste beschrijving van trombiculide-mijten in Noord-Amerika gemaakt. In 1758 beschreef Carl Linnaeus een enkele soort, Acarus batatas (nu Trombicula batatas ). De meeste informatie over Trombiculidae kwam echter voort uit problemen die ontstonden tijdens en na de Tweede Wereldoorlog. [2]
Trombiculidemijten komen over de hele wereld voor. In Europa en Noord-Amerika vooral in de hete en vochtige gebieden. In de meer gematigde streken worden ze alleen tijdens de zomer gevonden. In Frankrijk, worden oogstmijten aoûtat genoemd omdat ze in augustus veel voorkomen. In de Verenigde Staten worden ze meestal aangetroffen in het zuidoosten, het zuiden en het midwesten. Ze zijn niet of nauwelijks te vinden in de verre noordelijke gebieden, hoge bergen en woestijnen.
De volgende geslachten zijn bij de familie ingedeeld:
Trombiculidae zijn een familie van mijten. Bij de familie zijn 152 geslachten met circa 3100 soorten ingedeeld. Een in Nederland bekend geslacht is die van de Oogstmijten (Trombicula).
De naam Trombiculidae werd voor het eerst als afzonderlijke familie beschreven door Henry Ellsworth Ewing in 1944. Toen de familie voor het eerst werd beschreven, omvatte het twee subfamilies, Hemitrombiculinae en Trombiculinae. Verwijzingen naar deze mijten gaan echter terug tot het zesde-eeuwse China. In 1733 werd de eerste beschrijving van trombiculide-mijten in Noord-Amerika gemaakt. In 1758 beschreef Carl Linnaeus een enkele soort, Acarus batatas (nu Trombicula batatas ). De meeste informatie over Trombiculidae kwam echter voort uit problemen die ontstonden tijdens en na de Tweede Wereldoorlog.
A família Trombiculidae é um táxon de ácaros. Trombilídeos vivem em florestas e descampados, achados na vegetação baixa, ao longo de lagos e córregos e até me locais mais secos, como campos de golfe e gramados.[2] São mais numerosos no começo do verão, quando a vegetação se torna mais densa nos locais em que habita. Em estágio larval, ataca muitos animais, incluindo humanos, causando intenso prurido. Esses parentes dos carrapatos são microscópicos, medindo até 0.4 mm e possuem coloração laranja cromada.[3][4]
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(ajuda) A família Trombiculidae é um táxon de ácaros. Trombilídeos vivem em florestas e descampados, achados na vegetação baixa, ao longo de lagos e córregos e até me locais mais secos, como campos de golfe e gramados. São mais numerosos no começo do verão, quando a vegetação se torna mais densa nos locais em que habita. Em estágio larval, ataca muitos animais, incluindo humanos, causando intenso prurido. Esses parentes dos carrapatos são microscópicos, medindo até 0.4 mm e possuem coloração laranja cromada.
Ve mò hay họ Mò (Danh pháp khoa học: Trombiculidae, /trɒmbɪˈkjuːlɪdiː/) là một họ động vật gồm các loài ký sinh, trong số chúng nhiều loài gây ra bệnh sốt mò (Trombiculosis), chủ yếu là các loài Leptotrombidium deliense trong chi Leptotrombidium và Trombicula autumnalis trong chi Trombicula. Thông thường loại ve mò này khá nhỏ, khi cắn cũng không gây đau đớn nhiều nên người bệnh dễ bỏ qua, đôi khi không biết mình có vết loét do mò cắn[2].
Ở Việt Nam từng ghi nhận trường hợp có một cụ bà suýt chết vì bị ve mò cắn trúng vùng kín với các triệu chứng như suy kiệt, mệt mỏi, sốt cao, nôn ói, không ăn uống được. Để tránh bị ấu trùng mò đốt, cần tránh nằm trên bãi cỏ vùng đất ẩm, không phơi quần áo trên bãi cỏ, đeo găng tay, thắt chặt ống quần khi phát hoang xung quanh, phun thuốc diệt mò, diệt côn trùng[3]. sốt do vết cắn của ve mò là căn bệnh hy hữu, vẫn thường gặp ở nông thôn[2][4].
Ve mò hay họ Mò (Danh pháp khoa học: Trombiculidae, /trɒmbɪˈkjuːlɪdiː/) là một họ động vật gồm các loài ký sinh, trong số chúng nhiều loài gây ra bệnh sốt mò (Trombiculosis), chủ yếu là các loài Leptotrombidium deliense trong chi Leptotrombidium và Trombicula autumnalis trong chi Trombicula. Thông thường loại ve mò này khá nhỏ, khi cắn cũng không gây đau đớn nhiều nên người bệnh dễ bỏ qua, đôi khi không biết mình có vết loét do mò cắn.
Một con ve mòỞ Việt Nam từng ghi nhận trường hợp có một cụ bà suýt chết vì bị ve mò cắn trúng vùng kín với các triệu chứng như suy kiệt, mệt mỏi, sốt cao, nôn ói, không ăn uống được. Để tránh bị ấu trùng mò đốt, cần tránh nằm trên bãi cỏ vùng đất ẩm, không phơi quần áo trên bãi cỏ, đeo găng tay, thắt chặt ống quần khi phát hoang xung quanh, phun thuốc diệt mò, diệt côn trùng. sốt do vết cắn của ve mò là căn bệnh hy hữu, vẫn thường gặp ở nông thôn.
恙蟎科(學名:Trombiculidae;(/trɒmbᵻˈkjuːlᵻdiː/)是蛛形綱蜱蟎亞綱蟎形總目恙蟎目[4](Catalogue of Life作前氣門目[5])恙蟎總科之下的一個科,常見於農作物[6]。這些物種的幼蟲階段經常都咬其宿主,造成過敏反應及皮膚炎。
以下的Cladogram由來自Catalogue of Life[5]和Dyntaxa[4]的數據而成,包括下列三個亞科:
Trombiculidae按Catalogue of Life,本科之下尚有第四個亞科[5]。
本科包含下列各屬:
恙蟎科(學名:Trombiculidae;(/trɒmbᵻˈkjuːlᵻdiː/)是蛛形綱蜱蟎亞綱蟎形總目恙蟎目(Catalogue of Life作前氣門目)恙蟎總科之下的一個科,常見於農作物。這些物種的幼蟲階段經常都咬其宿主,造成過敏反應及皮膚炎。
ツツガムシ(恙虫)とは、ダニ目ツツガムシ科のダニの総称。ツツガムシ科に属するダニ類は日本では約100種が報告されている。主に東アジア、東南アジアに分布する。成虫は赤色、幼虫はオレンジ色をしている。幼虫は野鼠の耳に寄生していることが多い。幼虫は脊椎動物寄生性で孵化後、生涯に一度だけ哺乳類などの皮膚に吸着して組織液、皮膚組織の崩壊物などを吸収する。十分摂食して脱落、脱皮した後の第一若虫、第二若虫および成虫には脊椎動物への寄生性はなく、昆虫の卵などを食べる。
0.1~3%の個体が経卵感染によってツツガムシ病リケッチアを保菌しており、これに吸着されるとツツガムシ病に感染する。保有するリケッチアの血清型は、種との関連性があることが知られ、タテツツガムシはKawasakiまたはKuroki型、アカツツガムシはKato型、フトゲツツガムシはKarpまたはGilliam型を保有している。
日本では、感染症法に基きツツガムシ病の症例を集計している。2009年の症例458件死亡例3件[1]。
俗に、ツツガムシが「無事である」という意味の「つつがない」(恙無い)という慣用句の語源とされるが、それは誤りである(唱歌『ふるさと』の歌詞の「つつがなしやともがき」など)。
「恙」(つつが)はもともと「病気」や「災難」という意味であり、それがない状態を指す言葉として「つつがない」という慣用句が生まれた。それとは別に原因不明の病気があり、その病気は「恙虫」(つつがむし)という妖怪に刺されたことによって発病すると信じられていた。後世になってからこの病気がダニの一種による感染症(ツツガムシ病)であることが判明し、そこから逆にこのダニがツツガムシと命名されたものである。
石見国(島根県西部)に夜な夜な民家に入り込んでは寝ている住人の生き血を吸う「ツツガ」という虫がいた。のちに陰陽博士により退治された。
「絵本百物語」に描かれた恙虫
ツツガムシ(恙虫)とは、ダニ目ツツガムシ科のダニの総称。ツツガムシ科に属するダニ類は日本では約100種が報告されている。主に東アジア、東南アジアに分布する。成虫は赤色、幼虫はオレンジ色をしている。幼虫は野鼠の耳に寄生していることが多い。幼虫は脊椎動物寄生性で孵化後、生涯に一度だけ哺乳類などの皮膚に吸着して組織液、皮膚組織の崩壊物などを吸収する。十分摂食して脱落、脱皮した後の第一若虫、第二若虫および成虫には脊椎動物への寄生性はなく、昆虫の卵などを食べる。
0.1~3%の個体が経卵感染によってツツガムシ病リケッチアを保菌しており、これに吸着されるとツツガムシ病に感染する。保有するリケッチアの血清型は、種との関連性があることが知られ、タテツツガムシはKawasakiまたはKuroki型、アカツツガムシはKato型、フトゲツツガムシはKarpまたはGilliam型を保有している。
日本では、感染症法に基きツツガムシ病の症例を集計している。2009年の症例458件死亡例3件。