• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.171-180
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• 1997

Studies on geographical distributions and relative population densities of the vector mites of tsutsugamushi disease were carried out in October 1996 at 12 locations of the mid south inland of the Korean peninsula, where chigger mites have been never studied. Of 177 field rodents and insectivores collected. 154 (87.0%) were Apodemus ngrarius. Total 25,707 chigger mites were collected and 14 species were identified. of which Leptotrombidium pnllidum was predominant (79.8%) and L. palpate the next (8.9%) . L. pallidum, the vector species, was widely distributed in all study areas, showing the highest density at Cho-o 2-dong, Sangju-si (chigger index 201.8), and the lowest at Tanwol-dong. Chungiu-si (chigger index 40.7) . The other vector species, L. scutellare was found only at the southern part of the study area such as Yobae and Mipyong, Kumrung gun and Vnsu , Kimchon-si. The northernmost areas of the L. scutellcre distribution were coincided with the areas where actual mean air temperature is above 10.0%. Among 157 A. ograrius sera tested, 48.3% was Karp, 1.7% william and 3.3% Kuroki. The rest of the sera were not able to determine the sexto-type because of the cross antigen-antibody reactions among the tested sero-types.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 1996

The geographical distribution and population density of rodents and chigger mites at six localities of Chollanam-do were investigated from October to December in 1993. Among total 142 field rodents collected by the modified Chemin wooden traps, 131 rodents were Aponemw usrari,us (92.3%) and 11 were Crocidurc losiurc (7.7%). Out of 142 field rodents, 92 were parasitized by chiggers, showing 69.0% of the infestation rate and 74.2 of the chiggor index. Infestation rate and chigger index of A. omfernrius and C. lusiurc were 73.3%, 80.4 and 18.2%, 0.5, respectively. From the trapped field rodents, 10,532 chiggers were collected and identified with 11 species of 4 genera. Leptotrombidium pcLLinun. the vector 3pecies of tsutsugamushi disease, was the dominant species, showing 8,038 chi99ers (76.31%). L. scutellnre was the second dominant species showing 1,359 chiggers (12.9%). The distribution of chigger mites was clearly localized by the species, showing the different dominant species according to localities. The predominant species was 1. scutellare (100%) in Changhung-gun, 1. scutellcre (41.5%) in Posong-gun, 1. pnllidum (88.8%) in Hwasun- gun, 1. pnLlidunl (59.2%) in Koksong-gun, 1. zetum (77.3%) in Hampyong-gun, and 1. pclpcle (63.4%) in Tamyang-gun. Regarding to the geographical distribution of chigger population density, the infestation rate and chigger index was most high in Hwasun-gun as 62.4% and 216.2 respectively, and next high in Koksong-gun as 22.4% and 77.7%, respectively.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.61 no.3
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• pp.272-281
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• 2023

Chigger mites are the vector of scrub typhus. This study estimates the infestation status and ecological characteristics of chiggers on the chestnut white-bellied rat Niviventer fulvescens in Southwest China between 2001 and 2019. Chiggers were identified under the microscope, and infestation indices were calculated. The Preston's log-normal model was used to fit the curve of species abundance distribution. A total of 6,557 chiggers were collected in 136 of 342 N. fulvescens rats, showing high overall infestation indices (prevalence=39.8%, mean abundance=19.2, mean intensity=48.2) and high species diversity (S=100, H'=3.0). Leptotrombidium cangjiangense, Neotrombicula japonica, and Ascoschoengastia sifanga were the three dominant chigger species (constituent ratio=42.9%; 2,736/6,384) and exhibited an aggregated distribution among different rat individuals. We identified 100 chigger species, with 3 of them (Leptotrombidium scutellare, Leptotrombidium wenense, and Leptotrombidium deliense) as the main vectors of scrub typhus in China and nine species as potential vectors of this disease. Disease vector occurrence on N. fulvescens may increase the risk of spreading scrub typhus from rats to humans. Chigger infestation on N. fulvescens varied significantly in different environments. The species abundance distribution showed a log-normal distribution pattern. The estimated number of chigger species on N. fulvescens was 126 species.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.381-386
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• 2009

A survey to determine the geographical distribution and relative abundance of potential vectors of scrub typhus was conducted from October to November 2006 at 13 localities throughout the Republic of Korea. Apodemus agrarius accounted for 97.6% (80/82) of all rodents, while only 2 Myodes regulus (2/82) were collected. A total of 10,860 chiggers were collected from A. agrarius belonging to 4 genera and 8 species, while only Walehia fragilis (40) was collected from Myodes regulus. Leptotrombidium pallidum (8,137; 74.9%), a vector of scrub typhus, was the predominant species collected from A. agrarius followed by Leptotrombidium scutellare (2,057, 18.9%), Leptotrombidium palpale (279; 2.7%), Leptotrombidium orientale (232; 2.1%), and Leptotrombidium zetum (79; 0.7%), Neotrombicula tamiyai (58; 0.5%), Euschoengastica koreaensis (16; 0.1%), and Cheladonta ikaoensis (2; < 0.1 %). L. pallidum was the predominant chigger collected at collection sites in Gangwon (100%), Gyeonggi (87.2%), Chungnam (100%), Chungbuk (100%), Jeonbuk (73.9%), Jeonnam (77.0%), and Gyeongbuk (66.1%) provinces, whereas L. scutellare was the predominant chigger collected in Gyeongnam province (77.9%) and Jeju Island (62.3%). Data suggest a correlation between chigger population abundance and human cases of scrub typhus in Korea.

• The Korean Journal of Soil Zoology
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• v.11 no.1_2
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• pp.1-6
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• 2006

The chigger is of importance to humans and animals as an irritating pest and a crucial vector of disease. We observed stylostome formation by larvae of Leptotrombidium pallidum in parasitized striped-field mouse (Apodemus agarius) pinna skin. The stylostome formations were also examined in detail by electron microscopy. The proximal and middle parts of the stylostome were formed as a rod-like structure containing a canal. The stylostome was coated with thick degenerated epidermal cells, and seemed to be formed a hyperplastic epidermis. The stylostome formation may result from an interaction between larval secretions and the host tissue. According to histological and morphological characteristics, the stylostome exhibited considerable inflammation in the epidermis and similar reactivity.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.313-324
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• 2018

This article reviews Leptotrombidium deliense, including its discovery and nomenclature, morphological features and identification, life cycle, ecology, relationship with diseases, chromosomes and artificial cultivation. The first record of L. deliense was early in 1922 by Walch. Under the genus Leptotrombidium, there are many sibling species similar to L. deliense, which makes it difficult to differentiate L. deliense from another sibling chigger mites, for example, L. rubellum. The life cycle of the mite (L. deliense) includes 7 stages: egg, deutovum (or prelarva), larva, nymphochrysalis, nymph, imagochrysalis and adult. The mite has a wide geographical distribution with low host specificity, and it often appears in different regions and habitats and on many species of hosts. As a vector species of chigger mite, L. deliense is of great importance in transmitting scrub typhus (tsutsugamushi disease) in many parts of the world, especially in tropical regions of Southeast Asia. The seasonal fluctuation of the mite population varies in different geographical regions. The mite has been successfully cultured in the laboratory, facilitating research on its chromosomes, biochemistry and molecular biology.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.341-346
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• 1993

Seasonal distribution of chigger mites in the Kangwha Island and Yongjong Island was studied during the period of October 1992-August 1993. From 42 field rodents collected, 1,290 chiggers were obtained and 8 species of 4 genera were identified. In the Kanghwa Island, Leptopombidium pallidum was the predominant species through all seasons with the percentage of 93.0%. Whereas, In the Yongjong Island, L. palpale was the predominant species with the percentage of 38.4% and L. pnllidum was not found.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.141-144
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• 1989

During October-December 1987, chigger mites infested on the striped field mice (Apodemus agrarius cereae) collected at Pochun-gun, Gyeonggi Province and Chinhae city, Kyongnam Province were identified. . 1. Of 171 back-striped mice collected, chigger mites wire found from 58 mice, showing 33.9% of infestation rate. 2. Total 865 chigger mites collected were classified into seven species; Leptotrombidium pallidum (4.3%), L. palpate(23.0%), L. orienpalis(20.2%), L. xetum(19.0%), Neotrombicula tamiyai(32.9%), JV. japonica(0.25%) and Euschongastia koreaensis(0.3%). Though the most dominant species in number was N. tamiyai(32.9% of the total), this species was collected at very limited locality and for a short period. Therefore, most common species in Korea seems to be L. palpale which was found at all localities throughout the whole survey period. L. pallidum which is known as the vector species of tsutsugamushi disease in Korea was collected in a very low number(4.3% of the total chiggers collected). 3. The number of chigger mites infested on a host animal showed great variations from one chigger up to 207 chiggers. The present study has shown that there may be other Leptotrombidium species mite(s) for the vector and host of tsutsugamushi disease in Korea.

• Proceedings of the Zoological Society Korea Conference
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• 1994.10a
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• pp.133.2-133
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• 1994

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.57-70
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• 1990

한국산 털진드기 종을 다룬 모든 문헌을 조사 정리한 결과 총 43종이 보고되었는데, 그중 Salchia brennani ventralis 는 오동정한 것으로 W. comataxila 이었고 Shunsennia gracilis 는 S. hertigi 의 동종이명일 가능성이있으나 문헌상으로는 확인할 수 없었다. Leptotromibidium intermedium 의 경우 문헌상의 근거가 전혀 없어 국내 서식종으로 인정할 수 없었다. 필자가 직접 표본을 조사하여 확인할 수 있었던 종은 모두 17 종이었는데 그 가운데 Leptotromibidium akamushi 는 L.zutum 의 , L.miyajimai 는 L.orientale 의 오동정이었다. 결국 한국산 털진드기류는 모두 2과 , 12속, 39종이 된다. 이 중 2 종은 조류에 , 7종은 박쥐에, 그리고 29종은 설치류에 각각 기생하는 종이고 1종은 조류와 포유류에 공동기생하는 종이다. 현재 한국산 털진드기를 동정하는데 이용할 수 있는 검색표로는 29종을 아룬 Southwick (1968) 의것이 있을 뿐이고, 우리나라와 동물상이 유사하나 일본 종에 대한 검색표도 우리나라 토착종 21종이 들어 있지 않아 도움이 되지 않는다. 뿐만 아니라, 기존 검색표는 다리의 강모식(leg setal formula) 이나 촉수의 강모식( palpal setal formula)등 관찰하기 어려운 형질을 많이 사용하고 있어서 동정에 어려움이 많았다. 이에 필자는 현재까지 한국 종으로 정리된 총 39종에 대한 검색표를 만들었는데, 관찰이 용이하면서도 변이가 적은 형질을 최대한 사용하였고 특히 종 특징을 잘 나타내는 배판(scutum)의 형질을 주로 사용하였다. 실용성이 보다 큰 도식형 검색표( pictorial key)도 함께 만들었는데 원저자들의 도표에서 배판(scutum)을 그대로 전사하여 종 간 비교를 용이하게 하였다.