Chigoe flea
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| iChigoe flea | ||||||||||||||||
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| Tunga penetrans |
The chigoe flea (Tunga penetrans) is a parasitic arthropod found in tropical climates, especially South America and the West Indies. At 1 mm long, the chigoe flea is the smallest known flea. Breeding female chigoes burrow into exposed skin and lay eggs, causing intense irritation. After penetrating the skin, the flea increases in size by 2000 to 3000 over about 10 days. After this point, the skin lesion looks like a 5 to 10mm white spot with a central black dot, which are the flea's exposed hind legs, respiratory spiracles and reproductive organs. If the flea is left within the skin, infection and/or other dangerous complications may ensue.
The free-living flea is a poor jumper and can only reach a height of around 20cm; therefore the use of closed shoes (as opposed to sandals or slippers) is an effective way of preventing infection.[1]
[edit] Synonyms
- Sarcopsylla penetrans
- Pulex penetrans
The chigoe is sometimes called a "chigger," a term also used for the harvest mite in North America.
