Persian Journal of Acarology

Persian Journal of Acarology

The distribution and host selection of the chigger mite Leptotrombidium yongshengense (Acari: Trombiculidae) in southwest China

Document Type : Correspondence

Authors
Chen-Xi Liu
Xian-Guo Guo
Yan Lv
Peng-Wu Yin
Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan, 671000, China
10.22073/pja.v14i3.87059
Abstract
Chiggers are the exclusive vector of scrub typhus, and Leptotrombidium yongshengense (Acari: Trombiculidae)is one of over 3,000 chigger species recorded. This paper reports the distribution and host selection of L. yongshengense in Southwest China for the first time. Leptotrombidium yongshengense was abundant in outdoor habitats in mountainous areas with middle and high altitudes. Most L. yongshengense were identified from adult hosts and showed an obvious host preference for Alexandromys oeconomus. Leptotrombidium yongshengense was found to have an aggregated distribution among different individuals of its hosts.
Keywords
chigger
Geographical distribution
Infestation indices
Leptotrombidium yongshengense
patchiness index
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