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Bug Squad

Bug Squad blog image depicts a honey bee sting in action.

Welcome to the Bug Squad blog! The Bug Squad blog was launched Aug. 6, 2008 and is a daily blog (Monday through Friday). It showcases entomologists and the work they do.  The blog focuses on scientists in the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology, the Bohart Museum of Entomology, Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility, the UC Davis Bee Haven, and assorted campuswide events, including UC Davis Picnic Day, UC Davis Biodiversity Museum Day, and Bohart Museum open houses. The blog spotlights insects, including bees, butterflies, dragonflies, and praying mantises, as well as arachnids such as jumping spiders and crab spiders. Author and photographer is Kathy Keatley Garvey, communications specialist, UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology, and a longtime journalist and community scientist with two degrees from Washington State University.  She is a member of the Entomological Society of America (ESA) and the Association for Communication Excellence (ACE). Her blog posts and images have won international awards from ACE and ESA and appeared on journal and magazine covers. She shoots primarily with a Nikon Z-8 mirrorless camera, a Nikon D500 and Nikon 800, with assorted macro lenses. Feedspot lists it as one of the top entomology blogs on the Internet. 

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Cover of Bee Genera of North and Central America

Free Download of Bee Genera Publication

August 21, 2026
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
 If bees fascinate you--and they should--be sure to download a free PDF of "The Bee Genera of North and Central America (Hymenoptera: Apoidea): Second Edition." That's also the where you can view it on the website for free.The 313-page publication is the work of Bryan N. Danforth, Seán G. Brady,…
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A praying mantis hanging out at The Artisan, Vacaville.

Welcome, Arthuretta!

August 20, 2026
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
 The visitor hesitated to enter."Warning: Security Cameras in Use," a sign read."Shall I pray or shall I prey?"The visitor hung out by the front door, observant of people coming and going.Then the visitor appeared to want to ring the doorbell."Door dash?"The scene: the entrance to The Artisan, a cozy…
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The Bee Team at the Vacaville Museum Guild's Children's Party

The Bee Team and the Joy of Bees

August 19, 2026
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
 Did you know that World Honey Bee Day is celebrated annually on the third Saturday in August? This year it fell on Aug. 15.Roll the calendar back to Aug. 6 and voila! Members of a bee team at the University of California, Davis, were sharing their love of bees at the Vacaville Museum Guild's…
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Orb weaver constructing its web. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The Spider and the Bee

August 18, 2026
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
 The spider and the bee...Or technically, an orb weaver and a honey bee. "Orb" is an old English word meaning "circular."  Thus, the word, in reference to an orb weaver, refers to the classic, round, wheel-shaped spiral webs that these spiders build.The orb weaver is skilled in web design and…
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Two children learning about insects at the Bohart Museum of Entomology.

Bohart Museum Announces Fall Open Houses

August 17, 2026
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
 What's inside the Bohart Museum of Entomology at the University of California, Davis, and what will the scientists show and tell you? Drum roll...The Bohart Museum has announced two fall open houses: the first on Sunday, Sept. 20 and the second on Saturday, Nov. 7. Both are free and family…
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