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.
QUESTION: I've been to Florida and have seen love bugs. I swear we have an infestation here -- in our yard -- in western New York State that started a couple of weeks ago. Possible?
ANSWER: Dear Loren - Unless someone smuggled a bunch of them up there, I would say "no." To the best of my knowledge, 'love bugs' (Plecia nearctica) have not been reported north of South Carolina. Could you take a close-up photo of your 'guests' that you could append to a follow-up question?
Hope this helps,
Saugy
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: It's hard to get them to "light." This photo is taken against a paper towel. This particular bug has more red/orange than many of them. They move around attached to each other -- two at once.
Thanks for any help you can offer!
Answer Dear Loren - The photo is too fuzzy to be certain, but they appear to be true bugs (Hemiptera), whereas 'love bugs,' in spite of their name, actually are a species of fly. Have a look at the boxelder bugs at http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/DG0998.html to see if they resemble what you have. If they do, the aforementioned article includes control recommendations. If not, please get back to me with details as to how they differ.
Hope this helps,
Saugy
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