title: Qhapa, a pest causing skin irritations in Nor Yungas region of Bolivia, identified as a chigger mite, Eutrombicula batatas.
abstract: Qhapa, a pest associated with skin irritations, was collected from children and adults as well as from underbrush, rain forest highlands, and coffee fields in the Nor Yungas region of Bolivia. The pest was examined by phase contrast and scanning electron microscopy. Morphological features, including number and position of setae on the segmented legs of the mite, were consistent with its identification as the larval form of the chigger mite Eutrombicula batatas. Recommendations are made on ways to decrease incidence of Qhaba bites to minimize the dermatitis and the resultant secondary bacterial infections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, College of St Catherine, St Paul, MN 55105, USA. katweeten@stkate.edu
authors.forename: Kathleen A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Tweeten
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Muñoz-Bravo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001838:Bolivia; D006801:Humans; D007814:Larva; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008924:Mite Infestations / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008925:Mites / Q000033:anatomy & histology*