The request on tweeters for info on Costa Rica kicked off a conversation on
chiggers and went more different directions than I thought possible
including animal hunters. I think it was Louise that raised the flag on
chiggers. And certainly an issue to deal with, so-o-o-o, a few more comments.

I have never had a problem with chiggers in the tropics and that is because
I always spray my pants, socks and shoes. I stuff my pants into my socks
or boots. My worst fights with chiggers were in Mississippi and North
Carolina when I wasn't paying attention.

A comment was made about "claws on six legs" and it was pointed out that
chiggers are mites are arachnids. Correct. But the surprize is that it is
only the larvae that bite and in that stage they have six legs! Also,
there was a reference to chiggers in Smithsonian magazine some years back
and the indication was that by the time you are in grief the chigger is
long gone. The chigger generally doesn't burrow into the skin but just
pierces the skin with its mouthparts. Most frequently they bite legs or
wherever there is a constriction that inhibits their movements upwards like
tight sock tops, underwear or brassieres. What happens is that the body
reacts to the invasion and its chemicals and forms what could be called a
subminiature soda straw (stylostome) in your tissue. This straw is
extremely brittle and when you scratch the irritation it shatters the
glass-like straw and the body engages in another round of dealing with the
invasion. In the tropics there is a very real possibility of an infection
from an scratch, cut or bite so proper treatment is essential.

An excellent idea, for all kinds of reasons, is to carry a large plastic
trash bag in your back pocket. It will be between you and the ground when
you lay on your back and look up into a fruiting tree to avoid a common
malady known as "warbler-neck" (perhaps it should be "tanager-neck" in the
neotropics!). Then you concentrate on the birds and not worry about a
chigger attack.

BTW chiggers in the tropics are called Coloradillas --- loose translation
"little red".


Bob Taylor
taylorrt at geocities.com