mạt gà
Definition
- Noun:
- Chigger: A tiny larval mite, often of the family Trombiculidae, that can attach to the skin of humans and animals, causing intense itching and dermatitis.
- Harvest mite: Another common name for this type of larva, which is a parasite in its larval stage.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Vào mùa hè, trẻ con hay bị mạt gà đốt. (In the summer, children often get bitten by chiggers.)
- Mạt gà thường ẩn trong cỏ. (Chiggers often hide in grass.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is used specifically in a medical or zoological context to refer to the parasitic larva. It is not used metaphorically.
Variants and Related Words
- Con mạt: A more general term for small mites or ticks.
- Bệnh do mạt gà: Infestation or dermatitis caused by chigger bites.
Synonyms
- Chigger
- Harvest mite
- Red bug (regional)
- Scrub itch mite
Notes on Biology
- Scientific name: Often refers to larvae of the genus or .
- Lifecycle: Only the larval stage is parasitic on hosts like chickens, birds, and occasionally humans. The nymph and adult stages are free-living in the soil.
- Effect: Their bite does not burrow into the skin but injects digestive enzymes that cause severe itching and red welts.