- A species of flea (Pulex penetrans), common in the West
Indies and South America, which often attacks the feet or any exposed
part of the human body, and burrowing beneath the skin produces great
irritation. When the female is allowed to remain and breed, troublesome
sores result, which are sometimes dangerous. See Jigger.
- Biting insect - Blood-sucking insect - Malaria carrier - Tropical pest in Samos, Quito etc - Tropical pest in Samos, Quito etc. - Any one of various species of gnats of the genus Culex
and allied genera. The females have a proboscis containing, within the
sheathlike labium, six fine, sharp, needlelike organs with which they
puncture the skin of man and animals to suck the blood. These bites,
when numerous, cause, in many persons, considerable irritation and
swelling, with some pain. The larvae and pupae, called wigglers, are
aquatic.