About
Dr. Art Evans is an entomologist, author, photographer, and lecturer. His most recent books include “What’s Bugging You? A fond look at the animals we love to hate” (2008, University of Virginia Press) and the “National Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Insects and Spiders of North America” (2007, Sterling). He is currently consumed by the Virginia Beetle Project, an ongoing inventory of the more than 5,000 species found in the state.
February 8, 2009 at 11:01 PM
I wish you the very best of success with this new cyber-venture! I’m glad to call you a friend and colleague, and will be happy to steer everyone to your blog. Keep up the great work!
February 8, 2009 at 11:11 PM
Thanks Eric! I just started last week and am still learning my way around this format!
August 2, 2009 at 7:28 AM
Dr. Evans,
I’m a Richmond VA artist fooling around with entomology- I use insect specimens in my work. Have enjoyed your column in the RTD for years.
I have a quantity of luna moth eggs that I collected about 3 days ago, I was going to try and raise them and release them(did this last year w/polyphemus moths).
I would love to participate in a research project/make observations, or whatever I could do with these little guys when they hatch. I just don’t know where to turn. I would design a project but I don’t know what to do.
Any thoughts? Any help would be appreciated. If you get the message you could email me- thank you so much.
January 12, 2010 at 1:33 PM
Re: LEAVE NO CHILD INSIDE
I took my friends’ kids to a bug fair and they went absolutely bonkers. So, of course, they have a pet hissing cockroach that has been named Lola and every time I go over, I have to bring something interesting – spider, cricket, lizard, etc. I’ve created bug monsters!
May 4, 2010 at 8:35 AM
[...] one stood its ground, facing toward me, extending and waving its legs in my direction. According to Arthur Evans, author of the National Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Insects and Spiders, the black legs [...]
May 21, 2010 at 6:55 AM
[...] Arthur Evans presents a more detailed account of these fascinating little guys in “Belly Up to the Gravel Bar for Toad Bugs.” [...]
September 2, 2010 at 2:42 PM
Dr. Evans,
I have a question for you (and/or your readers). I was sitting at home recently and I felt a little sting on the back of my neck. I reach up and felt something. In my giant fingers I found this little guy. He was about 1/2 inch long and I can’t seem to figure out what he/she was. Can you help?
Here’s a picture I took while he was (unfortunately) taking his last breaths or life:
http://jameslloyd.me/bug/littlebug.jpg
Thanks,
James
September 2, 2010 at 2:55 PM
Thanks for your note. It is a checkered beetle, Cymatodera undulata. They are attracted to lights and prey on bark beetles and other wood boring insects. They don’t sting, but when threatened will bite. They are not venomous, nor do they pose any other threats to humans.
September 2, 2010 at 3:14 PM
Dr. Evans,
Cheers!
Thank you so much for the information. I certainly appreciate the information. My friends and family will be excited to know that I’ve now been bitten by the fearsome Cymatodera undulata!
September 15, 2010 at 7:14 AM
There are madagascar hissing roaches on craigslist. I figured you would like to know. I didnt know if they would affect the food chain if released into the wild.
http://richmond.craigslist.org/zip/1950122811.html
September 15, 2010 at 9:33 AM
Hissing cockroaches have been on the market in this country, legally and otherwise, for many years. Yet, to my knowledge, they have never become established in the wild.
“Dr. Art Evans, entomologist” is on Facebook.
January 22, 2013 at 10:39 PM
Dr Evans, I have a rather unusual request. We get these plant bugs in the Fall. They hang around on the side of the house well into December. Occasionally they get in the house. I don’t mind them, they’re not destructive as far as I know. In fact, I rather like them, they’re kind of cute. One has been living near the door in a landing between stories. I’ve kind of adopted him, being careful not to step on him. Sometimes he’s in a plant, sometimes on a wall. sometimes he disappears for awhile, and I figure he died, but then he reappears. He’s small, brown and moves very slowly. I have no idea what he eats, and I worry he’s starving to death. I would like to feed him. Outside, we have rhododendrons, pine trees, ferns, and various weeds and flowers. I figure he eats one of these, or possibly he is predatory, but he moves so slowly I don’t see how he could catch anything. I have tried to identify him but no luck. I could try to upload a picture if you are interersted.
thanks, Mike in Maine