Chiggers

Chiggers are in the arachnid family, more closely related to ticks and spiders than to insects. They are very small, ranging from 1/100 to 4/100 of an inch, depending on the maturity level.

The larvae only have six legs when newly hatched, and range from yellowish to light red. As they turn into adults, they have eight legs and turn a bright red color. This makes them more visible despite their tiny size, and earns them the nickname "red bugs." They can be seen walking along leaf detritus or cement edges. 

 

The larvae are parasitic and therefore the stage where we worry about chigger bites.  Once they have grown past that stage - into nymphs or adults - they become predators and begin feeding on insects and eggs instead of skin cells of host animals or humans.

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Chigger larvae will bite skin and inject an enzyme that allows them to feed on skin cells.  They will leave behind red, itchy bumps and pustules that can be bothersome for weeks.