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)

Professor (and now retiree) Lynn Kimsey (seated), former director of the Bohart Museum of Entomology, is honored at a birthday celebration on Feb. 1. With her from left are doctoral student Iris Quayle of the Bond lab; Professor Jason Bond, newly selected director of the Bohart Museum; and entomology researcher Tom Zavortink of the Bohart. (Photo by Tabatha Yang)

'The Girl in the Red Boots' Has Retired

February 1, 2024

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

"The Girl in the Red Boots" has retired. That would be UC Davis distinguished professor Lynn Kimsey, director of the Bohart Museum of Entomology from 1990 until yesterday, Jan. 31, 2024. Today, Feb.

View Article

A fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, feeding on a banana. (Photo by Sanjay Acharya, Wikipedia)

Orie Shafer: Researching the Sleep of a Fruit Fly

January 31, 2024

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

Did you know that the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, is a powerful model organism for the study of sleep regulation? It's long been a model organism for biological research in such fields as genetics, physiology, microbial pathogenesis and life history evolution.

View Article

Approximately 50 million Americans (20 percent of the population) suffer from chronic pain, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Good News About Chronic Pain Relief That Began with Caterpillar Research

January 30, 2024

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

Good news! EicOsis Human Health LLC, the Davis-based pharmaceutical company developing a non-narcotic drug to relieve chronic pain and inflammation, today announced the next step in its ongoing human clinical trials: the initiation of Phase 1b to test the safety of its drug candidate, EC5026.

View Article

A portrait of a lady beetle, aka ladybug. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The Ladybug: Luck Be a Lady?

January 29, 2024

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

It's not often that entomology and football mesh. But that was the case when San Francisco 49'ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk credited his spectacular 51-yard catch in Sunday's NFC championship game with the Detroit Lions to a ladybug landing on his shoe before the game.

View Article

Passengers on a double-decker bus represent the museums and collections on a double-decker bus. The original art is by Ivana Li, with UC Davis student Caitlen Comendant colorizing it and updating it.

All Aboard for the UC Davis Biodiversity Museum Day on Feb. 10

January 26, 2024

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

All aboard for the 13th annual UC Davis Biodiversity Museum Day! You can visit UC Davis museums or collections, talk to the scientists, and learn more about what makes UC Davis an internationally known science-based university. The free-and-family-friendly event, set Saturday, Feb.

View Article