AboutEric R. Eaton Expertise I can answer most questions related to wasps, solitary bees, grasshoppers and katydids, beetles, cicadas, and spiders, and identification of "mystery bugs" in North America. No "what bit me?" or "what do I feed this bug in captivity?" questions please.
Experience Principal author, Kaufman Field Guide to Insects of North America. Professional entomologist employed previously at University of Massachusetts, Chase Studio, Inc., and Cincinnati Zoo; contract work for West Virginia Department of Natural Resources, Smithsonian Institution, and Portland (Oregon) State University.
Organizations Entomological Society of America, National Association of Science Writers
Publications Author, Kaufman Field Guide to Insects of North America, Missouri Conservationist magazine, Ranger Rick, Timeline (journal of the Ohio Historical Society). I have contributed to several books as well.
Education/Credentials Oregon State University, undergraduate major in entomology, did not receive degree.
Past/Present Clients Principal author of the Kaufman Field Guide to Insects of North America, Smithsonian Institution (contract), Cincinnati Zoo (employer), Portland State University (contract), Chase Studio, Inc (employer), Arkansas Museum of Discovery (guest speaker). Currently seeking employment in a highly creative work environment with a media corporation or non-profit.
Question This weekend we found a tiny (1/2 inch-3/4 inch long) bug in the sand at the Columbia river in Washington. It looked like a scorpion with little red pincers. I am curious as to what it is so I can research it more. My daughter was stung by something in the area and has some swelling. I don't know if the bug I need identified was the culprit but I'd like to know more about it.
Answer
Molly:
Actually, by entomology standards, that is a pretty large animal:-) It might have very well been a small scorpion, especially if you were east of the Cascade range at the time (I grew up in Portland, but routinely came across scorpions in my trips over the mountains).
I would have suggested a "pseudoscorpion," but they are truly tiny, usually under 1/4 inch, and have no 'tail' like a true scorpion.
Other possibilities include "sun spiders" (aka "camel spiders," "solpugids," "solifuge," "wind scorpion") in the genus Eremobates. They , like pseudoscorpions, are non-venomous, but predatory.
Could also have been an aquatic insect if it was found near water....
In short, without more information, I can't be of real help. You might look at the images of the creatures I just listed at:
or in my book, the "Kaufman Field Guide to Insects of North America," which covers some non-insect arthropods likely to be encountered by folks. Feel free to send a follow-up question, but then include much more detail, please.
