Bug Squad

How can you improve cross-pollination in such tree crops as almond, pear, apple and cherry? Senior scientist Arnon Dag of the Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Institute, Israel, will discuss his research at the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology seminar at 4:10 p.m.

Monarchs on the move...so many mysteries. Where do Western monarchs go after leaving their overwintering sites along coastal California in February? An observation: They didn't stop in the spring or summer to deposit eggs on any of our four species of milkweed in our Vacaville pollinator garden.

Meet UC Davis doctoral alumnus Murray Isman, who has just received monumental recognition. Isman is listed as No.

Love insects and arachnids? Members of the Entomology Graduate Student Association (EGSA) of the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology design insect and arachnid-themed T-shirts that are all the fashion.

Sometimes overlooked as pollinators are the syrphid flies, also known as "hover flies" or "flower flies." Unfortunately, they are often mistaken for honey bees. Hey, if it's a critter on a flower, it's a bee, right? Not necessarily! Syrphid flies are easily distinguished from honey bees.