A Waspy Subject

Eric R. Eaton is a writer, entomologist, and author of Wasps: The Astonishing Diversity of a Misunderstood Insect (Princeton University Press, 2021). He is also lead author of the Kaufman Field Guide to Insects of North America (Houghton Mifflin Company, 2007), and co-author of Insects Did It First (Xlibris, 2018) with Gregory S. Paulson. He has contributed to several other books including The Butterfly Gardener’s Guide (Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 2003) and Wild in the City: a guide to Portland’s natural areas (Oregon Historical Society Press, 2000); and has written articles about insects and other animals for Natural History, Birds and Blooms, Ranger Rick, Missouri Conservationist, Timeline (journal of the Ohio Historical Society), and other magazines.

Eric writes the blogs Bug Eric and Sense of Misplaced. Mr. Eaton studied entomology at Oregon State University, and has worked as a professional entomologist at the University of Massachusetts (Amherst), Cincinnati Zoo, and Chase Studio, Inc., as well as on private contract for the Smithsonian Institution, Portland State University, and West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.

He enjoys the respect of his professional colleagues and as “Bug Eric” has built a loyal following on social media (Facebook, Twitter), and volunteer expert and consultant to WhatsThatBug.com and AllExperts.com (where he was one of the top 50 experts for the year 2009).

His empathy for the squeamish and scared, knack for identification of mystery bugs, and his accurate, jargon-free explanations of insect biology have made him a leading figure in popular entomology. He resides in Leavenworth, Kansas (not incarcerated!) with his wife, Heidi.