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Entomology (Study of Bugs)/Expert Profile

Nathan Riggs

U.S.

On Vacation
returns 11/09/2009

Expertise

I have expertise in identifying insects, many types of spiders, and other arthropod critters that infest lawns, ornamentals, structures, trees, pets and livestock. Mites are not a strong point of mine, but I can provide some help. I'm not a licensed doctor, so I cannot provide medical diagnosis of conditions possibly related to insects. If you've got an interesting photo for me to see, let me know and I'll give you my email so the picture will get to me. If you have hosted an insect photo on a website, please include the link so I can go look at it and provide a faster ID for you. Don't forget...you can now attach pictures to your questions as well!

Experience in the area

17 Years' Experience as an entomologist: 5 years as a biologist with Merck Animal Health and 7 years as a Pest Management Specialist in San Antonio, Texas with Texas Cooperative Extension.

Publications

Veterinary Parasitology, Southwestern Entomologist, San Antonio Express News, San Antonio Gardener Newsletter

Education/Credentials

BS - Entomology from Texas A&M University in 1992.

Board Certified Entomologist, 1996-2000 - Medical and Veterinary Entomology Specialty (Entomological Society of America)

Awards and Honors

2000 Texas A&M University Vice Chancellor's Award in Excellence for leadership on the Texas Fire Ant Program Educational Team.

What do you like about this subject?

Insects are one of the most diverse and interesting groups of creatures on the planet. They are found everywhere except the poles and the deepest oceans.

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

Better public understanding of insects and the benefits of having insects around. Only 2% of all insect species are actually pests and they spoil it for the rest of the insect world.

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

Texas is home to more native and migratory butterfly species that any other state in the U.S.!

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

1) During their sleep, people swallow an average of 8 spiders during their lifetime! Urban legend or truth??? 2) There are ~1 million species of insects identified on earth, but experts believe there may be as many as 30 million species of insects total.

Average Ratings

Recent Reviews from Users

User	Date	K	C	T	P	Comments
Linda	11/04/09	10	10	10	10	Thank you! I hope she did not .....
Rebecca	10/31/09	10	10	10	10
dee	10/30/09	10	10	10	10	Thanks Nathan!
Heather	10/28/09	10	10	10	10	Thank you very much! I was starting .....
Greg	10/28/09	10	10	10	10	Thanks alot! I appreciate your service

Recent Answers from Nathan Riggs

2009-11-04 Insects:

Crickets and cockroaches are types of insects...both having 6 legs, three body regions (head, thorax, abdomen), and jointed legs. However, they are not "related" to each other. Crickets belong to the

2009-11-04 spider with a stinger:

Thank heavens you sent me a picture! I was reading your description and wondering what the heck you had! LOL! You have captured a species of cricket called a camel cricket. They like dark, humid

2009-11-03 Little tiny worms:

This is a carpet beetle larva. These beetles and their larvae feed on dead insects in carpets as well as other natural fibers and such. They are also known to feed on dried out animal carcasses. For

2009-10-28 Can you tell me what this is?:

This is a Wheel Bug (Arilus cristatus). This insect is a type of assassin bug and feeds on other insects. They are known to bite people if handled or brushed against, but they are not aggressive and

2009-10-27 Bug ID:

These sound like tiny caterpillars from your description. They might be clothes both caterpillars or just something that came indoors and laid eggs. Termites do not emanate from what you're describing

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