Entomological Health and Safety for Ecologists and Environmental Professionals

Preface
About the Author

PART 1 Introduction to Arthropods and Their Role in Risk

Chapter 1 Introduction
Scope and Audience
References

Chapter 2 Arthropod Overview
Overview of the Major Entomological Groups
Entomology 101
Arachnids
Crustaceans
Myriapods
Insects
Ecological Roles
Parasites
Pathogens
Vectors
Entomological Agents
Mechanisms of Entomological Hazards
Stings
Non‑Pathogenic Bites
Potentially Pathogenic Bites
Physical Irritants and Allergens
Potentially Pathogenic Non‑Biting Contact
Harmless Panic Inducers
Transportation, Equipment, and Operational Hazards
Entomological Groups and Hazards
Collection of the Purported Offending Entomological
Specimen
References

Chapter 3 Exposure and Risk
Interpreting Arthropod‑Associated Risk
Explanation of the Exposure and Severity Scales
Exposure Scale
Severity Scale
Ecological and Environmental Occupational Activities That Increase Exposure
Organizational and Individual Strategies for Reducing Exposure
Incorporating Entomology into Health and Safety Documents
References

PART 2 The Arthropods

Chapter 4 Stings
Arachnids
Insects
Other Stinging Ants
Stinging Flying Wasps
Velvet Ants
European Honeybees
Africanized Honeybees
Other Bees
References

Chapter 5 Non‑Pathogenic Bites or Pinches
Arachnids
Zoonotic Mange
Chiggers
Miscellaneous Mites
Widow Spiders
Brown Recluse Spider
Hobo Spider
Sac Spiders
Tarantulas
Camel/Wind/Sun Spiders (Solifuges)
Crustaceans
Myriapods
Insects
Bed Bugs
Swallow Bugs
Other Biting True Bugs
Large Orthoptera
Praying Mantids
Head Lice and Animal Lice
Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle
Large Coleoptera
Dobsonflies
Eye Gnats
Biting Midges
Black Flies
Horse Flies, Deer Flies, and Yellow Flies
Large Biting Flies
References

Chapter 6 Potentially Pathogenic Bites
Arachnids
Tick‑Borne Diseases and Syndromes
Alpha‑Gal Syndrome
Tick Paralysis
Lyme Disease
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Ehrlichiosis
Anaplasmosis (Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis)
Babesiosis
Tularemia
Tick‑Borne Relapsing Fever
Powassan Virus
Heartland Virus
Bourbon Virus
Colorado Tick Fever
Other Spotted Fevers
Southern Tick‑Associated Rash Illness
Insects
Kissing Bug‑Borne Diseases
Body Lice
Louse‑Borne Diseases
Trench Fever
Fleas
Flea‑Borne Diseases
Murine Typhus
Dog and Cat Tapeworm
Mosquitoes
Mosquito‑Borne Diseases
West Nile Virus
Eastern Equine Encephalitis
St. Louis Encephalitis
Dengue
La Crosse Encephalitis
Chikungunya Virus
Zika Virus
Malaria
Western Equine Encephalitis
Jamestown Canyon Virus
Cache Valley Virus
Dirofilariasis
Sand Flies
Sand Fly‑Borne Diseases
References

Chapter 7 Physical Irritants and Allergens
Arachnids
Whip Scorpions/Vinegaroons
Myriapoda
Insects
Two‑Striped Walkingstick
Bombardier Beetles, Fiery Searchers, Blister Beetles, and Other Noxious Beetles
Mealworms and Other Grain Beetles, Carpet Beetles, and Other Dermestids
Urticating Caterpillars
Adult Butterflies and Moths, Caddisflies
References

Chapter 8 Potentially Pathogenic Non‑Biting Contact Hazards
Insects
Bacterial Gastrointestinal Diseases
Protozoan Gastrointestinal Pathogens
Gastrointestinal Helminths
Dung Beetles
Filth Flies
Fly‑Related Disease
Myiasis
References

Chapter 9 Transportation, Equipment, and Operations Hazards
Arachnids
Insects
Mayflies and Caddisflies
Mormon Crickets
Cicadas (Periodical and Annual)
Termites
Non‑Biting Gnats
Moth Flies and Drain Flies
Lovebugs
Non‑Stinging Ants
References
Entomological Health and Safety Standard Operating
Procedures
Objective
General
Occupational Exposure and Hazards
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Training
First Aid and Medical Response
Emergency Communications
Additional Hazards and Environmental Factors
Limitations
References and Related Documents
Entomological Hazards – Aquatic Ecology Field Sampling
Entomological Hazards – Aquatic Ecology Field Sampling

Appendix A: Example Standard Operating Procedure
Appendix B: Example Job Hazard Analysis
Appendix C: Example Health and Safety Plan

Index

Biography

Grant D. De Jong, Ph.D., B.C.E., is an entomologist, ecologist, and educator with more than three decades of experience in field biology and environmental consulting. A Board Certified Entomologist and author of over three dozen peer‑reviewed publications and two books, he has led ecological investigations in forests, streams, wetlands, deserts, and coastal systems across the United States and internationally.

Before entering academia, Dr. De Jong spent 22 years in environmental consulting, where he managed ecological field projects in urban and mining‑impacted watersheds, led the development of health and safety protocols for ecological fieldwork and electrofishing operations, and provided technical taxonomic oversight for a biological laboratory. He now serves as Assistant Teaching Professor of Biology at
Pensacola Christian College, where he teaches ecology, entomology, parasitology, and research methods and mentors undergraduate researchers.

Drawing on extensive field experience, Dr. De Jong brings a dual perspective of practical insight and scholarly rigor to Entomological Health & Safety, offering scientifically grounded guidance for professionals who work where arthropods and environmental risk intersect.

"The author has cleverly and insightfully identified the gap between academic entomology and occupational health and safety practice, and targeted the work directly in this gap. I believe that this is the only book of its kind."

Philip Weinstein, professorial research fellow in the School of Public Health, University of Adelaide, Australia

“A health and safety reference text for professionals who work in outdoor and ecological settings is overdue, especially one pertaining to the particular threats may arthropods pose to the health, safety, or operational factors of those who work there. Numerous books and online resources about medical entomology have been published, but nothing that comprehensively covers structured assessments of the entomological risks such as bites, stings, allergic reactions, disease transmission, and logistical disruptions facing field crews. This guidebook will be of great interest to a wide range of users, from utility workers and military planners to camp staff and emergency responders, helping them prepare for and mitigate entomological risks through informed decision-making. The text should go a long way in helping these officials prepare for and respond to arthropod-related environmental threats. Whether used for pre-deployment briefings, job hazard analyses, or daily fieldwork, it promotes a culture of safety through understanding and proactive management of arthropod-related hazards across diverse environments and sectors.”

Jerome Goddard, Extension Professor of Medical Entomology, Mississippi State University, USA