What is the life cycle of Trombicula ?

The life-cycle lasts for between 2 and 12 months. There can be several generations of chiggers in good weather, from March to October, meaning that infestation can occur as late as autumn. Feeding lasts for several days. Once engorged, the larvae leave the host and turn into nymphs in 2 to 3 days. The first nymph stage is immobile. It develops into the second nymph stage in 4 to 5 days. The second nymph stage is mobile and feeds on small acarids in the soil. This nymph sloughs in 3 to 4 days to the third nymph stage, which will develop to the adult stage in 3-4 days. Adult chiggers reproduce and lay eggs after 8-10 days, but they survive for several weeks in the summer weather. They go into diapause in late autumn to revive the next spring. The eggs hatch rapidly, releasing larvae, which actively seek out hosts. They can survive for several weeks to months without feeding.