Tunga penetrans
n 1: small tropical flea; the fertile female burrows under the
skin of the host including humans [syn: {chigoe},
{chigger}, {chigoe flea}, {Tunga penetrans}]
Jigger \Jig"ger\ (j[i^]g"g[~e]r), n. [A corrupt. of chigre.]
1. (Zool.) A species of flea ({Tunga penetrans}, or
{Sarcopsylla penetrans}, or {Pulex penetrans}), which
burrows beneath the skin; called also {jigger flea}. See
{Chigoe}.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Zool.) Any one of several species of small red mites
(esp. {Tetranychus irritans} and {Tetranychus Americanus})
of the family {Trombiculidae}, which, in the larval or
leptus stage, burrow beneath the skin of man and various
animals, causing great annoyance. Also called {chigger}.
[Southern U. S.]
[Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC]
Chigoe \Chig"oe\, Chigre \Chig"re\, n. [Cf. F. chigue, perh. fr.
Catalan chic small, Sp. chico; or of Peruvian origin.]
(Zool.)
A species of flea ({Tunga penetrans}, formerly {Pulex
penetrans}), common in the West Indies and South America,
which often attacks the feet or any exposed part of the human
body, and burrowing beneath the skin produces great
irritation. When the female is allowed to remain and breed,
troublesome sores result, which are sometimes dangerous. See
{Jigger}. [Written also {chegre}, {chegoe}, {chique},
{chigger}, {jigger}.]
[1913 Webster]
Note: The name is sometimes erroneously given to certain
mites or ticks having similar habits.
[1913 Webster]
chigger \chigger\ n.
1. a small tropical flea ({Tunga penetrans}, formerly {Pulex
penetrans}); same as {chigoe}. [Also spelled {chigre}.]
Syn: chigoe, chigoe flea, {Tunga penetrans}.
[WordNet 1.5]
2. a larval mite of the family {Trombiculidae} that sucks the
blood of vertebrates including human beings, causing
intense irritation, and serving to transmit several
infectious diseases.
Syn: harvest mite, jigger, redbug.
[WordNet 1.5]