Bug Squad

A daily (M-F) blog launched Aug. 6, 2008 and about the wonderful world of insects and those who study them. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
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A child holding a stick insect at Bohart Museum of Entomology.

Heigh Ho, Heigh Ho...

April 22, 2026
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
 "Heigh ho, heigh ho, it's off to work we go..."That's a song from Walt Disney's 1937 animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, written by Frank Churchill (music) and Larry Morey (lyrics).But on Thursday, April 23, employees everywhere--including those at UC Davis--will be taking their offspring…
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A pipevine swallowtail in a Vacaville garden. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

To Catch a Butterfly

April 21, 2026
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
 To catch a butterfly....Keep your eye on the butterfly, step forward, and extend your net. "Ready? Here it comes!"That was the scene at the Bohart Museum of Entomology insect-netting demonstration at Briggs Hall during the 112th annual UC Davis PIcnic Day on Saturday, April 18. Hannah Petok, a…
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Honey bees at work inside the hive. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Engineering Honey Bee Gut Bacteria

April 20, 2026
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
 This promises to be an interesting talk!Synthetic biologist Sean Leonard, research scientist at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory will present  "Engineering Honey Bee Gut Bacteria to Activate Immunity and Limit Pathogens" at his seminar hosted by the UC Davis Department of Entomology and…
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Single celled ciliate

Don't Miss the Wetlands Restoration Exhibit

April 17, 2026
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
 Don't miss this new exhibit at Briggs Hall during the 112th annual UC Davis Picnic Day on Saturday April 18.The exhibit, scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., will feature the wetlands restoration project of medical entomologist-geneticist Geoffrey Attardo, associate professor, UC Davis Department of…
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Artists work with maggots to create maggot art.

Me and My Maggot

April 16, 2026
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
 "Step right up! Who wants to do maggot art?"You'll be hearing that a lot from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, April 18 in the Briggs Hall courtyard during UC Davis Picnic Day.Maggot Art involves two artists--the maggots and individual youths and adults. They dip a maggot into water-based, non-toxic paint…
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