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Entomology (Study of Bugs)/Expert Profile
Expertise
Will accept most questions in general entomology, including those related to medical entomology, taxonomy, ecology, arthropod surveillance, and pest management. If you are requesting a 'mystery bug' identification, PLEASE either attach an image to your question, or post an image on a web page (such as Flickr) so that I can look at it, as verbal descriptions frequently are insufficient for a definitive identification.
Experience in the area
21 years in the U.S. Army as a medical entomologist; duties varied from surveillance of pest populations (including mosquitoes, cockroaches, ticks, and stored products pests) to conducting research on mosquito-virus ecological relationships and mosquito faunal studies. Ten years as a civilian analyst for the Department of Defense, primarily on distribution of vector-borne diseases worldwide. Limited experience on surveillance of agricultural insects in North Dakota and Indiana.
Organizations
Entomological Society of America, West Virginia Entomological Society, Society for Vector Ecology, National Speleological Society, West Virginia Association for Cave Studies.
Publications
American Journal of Public Health, Contributions of the American Entomological Institute, Japanese Journal of Sanitary Zoology, Journal of Economic Entomology, Mosquito News, and Mosquito Systematics.
Education/Credentials
B.S. in entomology from North Dakota State University in 1963, M.S. in entomology from Purdue University in 1967.
What do you like about this subject?
So many insects; so little time......
What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?
Contribute to knowledge base of distribution of terrestrial insects in southeastern West Virginia; assist in monitoring populations of caverniculous invertebrates in same area.
Average Ratings
Recent Reviews from Users
K = Knowledgeability C = Clarity of Response T = Timeliness P = Politeness| User | Date | K | C | T | P | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tavish | 11/21/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | great response and very timely. Thank you |
| Dana | 11/20/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | |
| Christopher | 11/18/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | Thanks Saugy! I think you nailed the ..... |
| craig | 11/17/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | |
| Karen | 11/17/09 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Recent Answers from Ed Saugstad
2009-11-21 small brown bug ID:
Dear Evelyn - Other than not painting your house white, there's not much you can do to make your place less attractive to these beetles. They are not really harmful, other than being nuisances. See http://tinyurl
2009-11-21 Bug in my bed:
Dear Tavish - This is nothing to worry about from a health standpoint; at worst, it is a nuisance pest. It is a primitive insect called a bristletail (order Thysanura), but too many scales are missing
2009-11-20 stinging or biting insect - flea?:
Dear Dana - Your county extension service office is located in Glen Burnie - see http://annearundel.umd.edu/ for contact information. I lived in Maryland from 1978-1999, mostly in Frederick County, and
2009-11-20 Sesame-seed-like eggs:
Dear Jane - I too will be most interested in learning what hatches out, as these certainly do not sound like the eggs of anything likely to be pest/parasite of pets or humans. Please take some clear photographs
2009-11-19 stinging or biting insect - flea?:
Dear Dana - The photos you submitted appear to be of two entirely different types of insect; the winged ones appear to be aphids ('plant lice') which definitely would not bite, but I cannot see enough
Answers by Expert:
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