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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UC Davis doctoral candidate Christofer Brothers discussing dragonflies at Bohart Museum of Entomology open house.

Sharing His Rhyming Prose About Dragonflies

June 11, 2026
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
 What a delight to hear UC Davis doctoral candidate and dragonfly researcher Christofer Brothers share his rhyming prose at a recent Bohart Museum of Entomology open house.Brothers titled his 15-minute presentation, "Midair Basketweaving: A Doggerel of Dragonflies and Damselflies," a presentation…
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Nematology banner at UC Davis Biodiversity Museum Day

Extension Nematologist Becky Westerdahl: 40 Years of Service

June 10, 2026
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
 Forty-eight years ago, UC Davis scientists Becky Westerdahl, Eric Mussen and Norm Gary formed the Western Apicultural Society (WAS).That was in 1978. A photo of them taken at what is now the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Facility, UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology, drew interest at a…
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Insect nets lined up at Briggs Hall during UC Davis Picnic Day.

Through the Wickets for a Win!

June 9, 2026
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
 Entomologists aren't just skilled at netting insects.Some of them do well at croquet,  striking a ball with a mallet and knocking it through a wicket.Question is: Can the Ian Grettenberger lab at UC Davis swing a mallet as well--or better--than an insect net?Agricultural entomologist…
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Pallavi Shakya holding award: first-place winner of “Best Student/Early Career Talk” at the 36th Symposium of the European Society of Nematologists

Congrats, Pallavi Shakya! Well Done!

June 8, 2026
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
 Congratulations to UC Davis doctoral candidate Pallavi Shakya of the lab of nematologist Shahid Siddique, who won “Best Student/Early Career Talk” at the 36th Symposium of the European Society of Nematologists, held June 1-5 in Egmond aan Zee, The Netherlands.Well done! UC Davis is proud of you!The…
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Native bee images on Istagram by Krystle Hickman, author of "ABC's of California's Native Bees"

Krystle Hickman and 'The ABC's of California's Native Bees'

June 5, 2026
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
 "If you want to find the native bees, look for native plants and vice versa. If you want to save the native bees, save the native plants."So said native bee conservationist and native bee photographer Krystle Hickman, author of The ABCs of California's Native Bees when she addressed a recent Bohart…
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