There’s nothing worse than being bitten but not knowing just what it was that bit you. Although no-see-ums – also known as biting midges – and chiggers are both pretty well known, you might not realize that chiggers are not insects. That’s right, chiggers are actually mites. But how do we tell them apart?
Well, luckily, there are actually quite a lot of key differences between them – including where they live, what they eat, and how many legs they have.
So join us as we discover everything you need to know about no-see-um vs chigger!
Comparing No-See-Um vs Chigger
| No-See-Um | Chigger | |
|---|---|---|
| Distribution | Worldwide except Antarctica and the Arctic | Worldwide |
| Habitat | All over but favor habitats around standing and slow-moving water | Forests, grassland. Shaded and damp areas in bushes, orchards, and waters edges |
| Size | 0.04 – 0.12 inches long | 0.006 – 0.017 inches long |
| Body Shape | Elongated | Round |
| Color | Larvae – creamy white Adult – grey | Larvae – red, white, or yellow Adult – red to reddish yellow |
| Wings | Yes | No |
| Legs | 6 | 8 as adults, 6 as larvae |
| Life Cycle | 4 stages – egg, larva, pupa, adult | 5 stages – egg, prelarva, larva, nymph, adult |
| Eggs | Up to 450 per clutch, up to 7 times per year | Up to 15 per day |
| Egg Location | Virtually any moist surface | Leaf litter or damp soil |
| Diet | Larvae – algae, fungi, plant matter Adult – mammal, reptile, or insect blood (females only), flower nectar | Larvae – liquefied skin tissue Nymphs & adults – plant matter, insects, other arthropods, and their eggs |
| Predators | Larger insects, birds, carnivorous plants | Ants, centipedes, spiders, birds, lizards, salamanders |
| Lifespan | 2 – 6 weeks | Average 50 – 70 days, but females can survive for up to one year |
The 5 Key Differences Between No-See-Ums and Chiggers
The differences between no-see-ums and chiggers include size, appearance, lifespan, diet, habitat, classification, and reproduction.
No-see-ums are insects from the Ceratopogonidae family group of which there are more than 5,000 species. However, as we’ve just mentioned, chiggers are not mites, not insects. Instead, chiggers – also known as harvest mites – are from the Arachnida class, which also includes spiders, scorpions, and ticks.
There are actually more than 3,000 species of chiggers in the world that make up the family group Trombiculidae. However, despite being mites, they don’t actually burrow into the skin. Instead, they bite and feed on the uppermost levels of tissue.
No-See-Um vs Chigger: Size
Despite being tiny and difficult to see, no-see-ums are still larger than chiggers.
©Maximillian cabinet/Shutterstock.com
The first difference between no-see-ums and chiggers is their size. Even though no-see-ums are tiny, chiggers are even smaller. No-see-ums are 0.04 to 0.12 inches long, but chiggers are 0.006 to only 0.017 inches long.
No-See-Um vs Chigger: Appearance
Even though they are both incredibly difficult to see, the biggest difference between no-see-ums and chiggers is actually their appearance.
No-see-ums have an elongated body that is grey and three distinct sections – head, thorax, and abdomen. As insects, they have 6 legs. They also have a set of wings that are covered in thick, dense hair. Quite often, their wings appear as though they have patterns on them, but this is usually just the pigmentation of the hair.
In complete contrast, chiggers have a round-shaped body that is reddish to reddish-yellow colored. However, some of the main defining features that set arachnids apart from insects are that they have 8 legs as adults, and they do not have wings or antennae.
No-See-Um vs Chigger: Diet
Chigger larvae feed on liquefied skin tissue.
©iStock.com/dna_beeb
Even though they both bite, you might be surprised to find that no-see-ums and chiggers also have very different diets. No-see-um larvae eat algae, fungi, and plant matter, while as adults they feed on flower nectar and the blood from mammals, insects, or reptiles (females no-see-ums only). However, chigger larvae feed on liquefied skin tissue, while as nymphs and adults they eat plant matter, insects, and other arthropods and their eggs.
Not only that, chiggers and no-see-ums have different bite. Although, both have similar mouthparts which they use to make a hole in the skin with, and both inject their saliva under the skin, what happens next is different. When-no-see-ums inject their saliva underneath the skin, it causes the blood to pool there.
As we’ve already mentioned, chiggers don’t feed on blood at all, but their larvae feeds on liquefied skin tissue. The saliva that chigger larvae inject underneath their host’s skin contains certain enzymes which break down the cell walls of the skin.
This liquefies the skin so that it is easier for the larvae to consume. However, they still need to be able to suck it up. Therefore, the saliva that they inject also makes the tissue surrounding the cell walls harden into a tubular shape which is known as a stylostome. This acts like a straw into the skin so that the chigger can suck up the liquefied tissue with it.
No-See-Um vs Chigger: Eggs
Another difference is the number of eggs that chiggers and no-see-ums lay in each clutch. Female chiggers lay up to 15 eggs in each clutch but can lay eggs daily and continue to reproduce for their entire life (usually between 50 and 70 days). However, no-see-ums lay up to 450 eggs per clutch and can lay around 7 batches of eggs in their lives. This means that even though no-see-ums don’t reproduce as often as chiggers, they are still much more prolific breeders.
They also lay their eggs in different places. Chiggers lay their eggs in leaf litter or damp soil where they can bury them in the ground. No-see-ums lay their eggs on virtually any moist surface – such as areas around lakes and ponds, or in muddy sand or soil. However, the females must consume a blood meal before they are able to lay them.
No-See-Um vs Chigger: Life Cycle
No-see-ums go through 4 different stages to reach adulthood.
©Henrik Larsson/Shutterstock.com
Chiggers and no-see-ums also have different life cycles and go through different stages to reach adulthood. No-see-ums go through four stages – egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Their eggs usually hatch between 2 and 10 days after they have been laid, although this depends on factors such as the species and the water temperature/moisture content.
Once hatched, the eggs become larvae which are creamy-white and have a worm-like appearance. No-see-um larvae are not strictly aquatic or terrestrial as they can develop either on land or in water. Following the further stages of development as larvae, they then pupate underwater, where they use a “respiratory horn” to breathe. The pupal stage is complete after 2 to 3 days, and they become adult no-see-ums.
Chigger eggs hatch after around 3 to 6 days into prelarvae. Prelarvae has 6 legs but are inactive and do not feed. After another 6 days, the prelarvae develop into larvae which again only has 6 legs. It is at this stage that they are parasitic and feed on the skin tissue of humans and animals. Chigger larvae can be red, white, or yellow. They usually climb up and congregate on vegetation while they wait for a suitable host to feed from.
After feeding on the skin of the host, they then drop off and develop into nymphs. Nymphs closely resemble adult chiggers but are not sexually mature. The nymph state contains three additional stages before they grow their last pair of legs and eventually turn into adults. Sometimes, they can even remain on the host and feed on the skin for up to several days before they eventually drop off.
Bonus Difference: No-See-Ums vs Chiggers Bites
A no-see-um bite typically appears as a small, red, painful, burning, or itchy spot. These tiny insects target exposed skin, with a preference for areas like the back of the neck and legs. It’s common to find clusters of red dots rather than just a single bite. To treat the bite, wash it carefully with warm water and mild soap.
Chigger bites look like itchy red bumps resembling pimples, blisters, or tiny hives. Typically found around the waist, ankles, or in areas where the skin folds and stays warm, these bites tend to enlarge and become more irritating over a span of several days. They often appear in clusters. The itching begins within hours of the chigger attaching itself to the skin.
The photo featured at the top of this post is © Henrik Larsson/Shutterstock.com
How to Add Us to Google News
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Where do chiggers and no-see-ums bite the most?
No-see-ums tend to bite any exposed area of skin, although the back of the legs and neck are particularly targeted. However, chiggers tend to bite areas where the skin is thinnest as well as areas where clothing is tight. Therefore, ankles, armpits, the groin, and behind the knees are targeted.
What is the difference between chigger and no-see-um bites?
No-see-um bites are generally dark colored, small, and located close together in a cluster. Chigger bites usually feel much harder and often have a scab in the center. Although no-see-um bites are known for being intensely painful (more painful than mosquito bites), the bites from chiggers tend to be incredibly itchy and can itch for several days.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.
