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About Eric 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.

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Entomology (Study of Bugs) - Mite Expert Needed

Expert: Eric R. Eaton - 11/2/2009

Question
Hello,

I desperately need help finding a mite expert in the Orange County, CA area. Three days ago I discovered bugs on one of my hamsters. I took a sample of the bedding with the bugs to a veterinarian and was told it's a fowl mite but there could be another type of mite as well that was not seen. Due to the fur loss in this hamster the vet suspected there could be more than one type of mite. I have been getting bites for a little over a week and now believe it's due to the mites. The hamsters have been gone since last Friday but I continue to get the bites and it seems to be worse at night for some reason.

Can you tell me where to find someone to help me identify the problem? Should I see a doctor?

Thank you.

Answer
Hi, Carla:

I would recommend contacting the entomology department at UC Riverside to see if they have an acarologist (mite expert) or could refer you to one in that area. You could also try the entomology department at the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History. If you contact Doug Yanega at UCR, or Brian Brown at the LACM, you can tell them I sent you.

Your physician could probably treat any symptoms from the "bites," but otherwise I would not be too concerned. The vast majority of mites are host-specific, meaning they feed only on one kind of animal, or at least family of animals (rodents for example). Humans have few mites specific to us....

Best wishes for getting this accurately resolved in a timely fashion.

Eric

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