What do chiggers eat in the wild?

Chiggers are not actually insects, but tiny mites in the larval stage of a specific species. They are parasites, which means they feed on the blood of other animals.

Here's what chiggers eat in the wild:

* Blood: Chiggers primarily feed on the blood of vertebrates including humans, other mammals, birds, and reptiles. They use their mouthparts to pierce the skin and inject a saliva that breaks down the skin tissue, creating a small feeding tube. They then feed on the blood that flows into this tube.

So, while chiggers live in the wild, they don't consume wild plants or insects. Their diet is solely based on blood, making them a nuisance to many animals and humans alike.