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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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A female green sweat bee on a coneflower. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The Wearing of the Green

March 17, 2026
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
 St. Patrick's Day is a good time to celebrate the Wearing of the Green in the insect world.The metallic green sweat bee,  Agapostemon texanus, also known as "the ultra green sweat bee," fits the bill. The green bill.The female is metallic green from head to thorax to abdomen. The male, however, is…
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Doctoral candidate CC Edwards with her winning project. (UC Davis Photo)

A 'Little Bang' That Won a Coveted UC Davis Prize

March 16, 2026
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
 Congrats to UC Davis doctoral candidate, mosquito researcher, and entrepreneur Carla-Cristina ("CC")  Edwards.Edwards just won a $1000 prize from the UC Davis Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship’s  “Little Bang! Pitch Plus Poster Competition" for her innovative business…
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A jumping spider peering at the photographer

What's That Spider?

March 13, 2026
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
 What's that spider?A common question on the Internet.Bring your image of a spider and ask the arachnid specialista at the Bohart Museum of Entomology open house, set from 1 to 4 p.m., Sunday, March 15 in Room 1124 of the Academic Surge Building, 455 Crocker Lane, UC Davis campus.The event, free and…
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Some of the native bee images by Krystle Hickman on display at the Bohart Museum of Entomology.

Come for the Spiders? And Stay for the Bees and Butterflies?

March 12, 2026
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
 Is it "Come for the spiders--and stay for the bees and butterflies?"Or is it "Come for the bees and butterflies--and stay for the spiders?"Actually, you can have it all three ways!When the Bohart Museum of Entomology  at the University of California, Davis, hosts an open house, "Eight-Legged…
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Celebration of the Life and Legacy of Bruce Dupree Hammock

Date Set for 'The Life and Legacy of Bruce Hammock'

March 11, 2026
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
 Calendar this date, Oct. 10.The Celebration of the Life and Legacy of UC Davis Distinguished Professor Bruce Hammock, internationally renowned scientist and acclaimed member of the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology, will take place at 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 10 in California Hall, UC…
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