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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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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.
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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.
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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.
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Forest entomologist Todd Johnson, assistant professor, Louisiana State University

Forest Entomologist Todd Johnson of LSU to Share His Research

January 25, 2024
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
"Forests cover approximately 30 percent of the Earth's landmass and provide important ecosystem services that include food, fuel, and timber, as well as habitat for diverse organisms. Threats posed to forests by invasive and pestiferous species are rapidly growing.
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