AboutEd Saugstad Expertise Will accept most questions in general entomology, including those related to medical entomology, taxonomy, ecology, arthropod surveillance, and pest management.
Experience 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, Society for Vector Ecology, National Speleological Society.
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.
Expert: Ed Saugstad Date: 7/3/2008 Subject: Concerned about a bug.
Question I was wondering if there is a new species of a bug 1/2 inch in length with black resembles a cricket/fly. It flies and has pinchers and hard shell. Two years ago I go stung or pinched by on and had an allergic reaction to it. I see them sometimes flying around and try to avoid it. Today I had one in my room and I placed a plastic bag over it and when I pressed down on it I felt a terrible shock on my finger. I felt a tremendous shock to my finger something I have never felt before. I can see to small cuts on my finger that are hard to see, but it felt more like a shock that a sting. What is this I have been trying to find out it looks to me like a new species of something. I can't seem to catch one to have my Biology teacher to look at it.
I live in Irving Texas, any information will be greatly appreciated,
Thanks
Eric
Answer Dear William - There are no insects that I know of capable of delivering any kind of electrical shock, but there are some stinging insects whose sting is so painful that it might be taken for a shock. That aside, what you describe sounds more like a beetle than anything else, and although some can deliver quite a painful bite, none are venomous and none are capable of stinging. There are some true bugs that are fairly hard-bodied, but lack the hard wing covers characteristic of beetles. Some of these, particularly assassin bugs, also can give quite a painful 'bite' with their beak. See http://www.extension.umn.edu/yardandgarden/ygbriefs/e608maskedhunter.html for information on one of the worst of these.
About the only other suggestions I have would be to (1) take a photo of it should you come across another one; you could then attach the photo to a follow-up question, and (2) contact your county office of Texas A&M University's Cooperative Extension service (see http://county-tx.tamu.edu/ for contact information) to see if anyone else has reported a similar incident.
