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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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Napa vineyard

Spotlight on the Mia Lippey Climate-Change Research

June 12, 2026
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
 Important climate warming research led by UC Davis entomologist Mia Lippey gained traction last week when a noted sustainable agriculture scientist wrote a commentary, “Beyond Temperature: Why Climate Adaptation in Agriculture Needs a Systems Approach”  in the June 1st issue of the…
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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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