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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. 

UC Davis entomologists, first-year doctoral students Abigail Lehner (front) of the Neal Williams lab, and Iris Quayle of the Jason Bond lab, staff the Maggot Art table at Briggs Hall. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The Art of Maggot Art

April 18, 2023
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
They came, they saw, they participated. Youngsters--and the young at heart--headed over to Briggs Hall during the 109th annual campuswide UC Davis Picnic Day to create art masterpieces--masterpieces involving maggots.
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UC Davis forensic entomologist Robert "Bob" Kimsey explains his research. In back is a graphic of bed bugs. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

'Dr. Death' Brings Life to UC Davis Picnic Day

April 17, 2023
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
"Dr. Death" brought life to the 109th annual UC Davis Picnic Day. Crowds thronged the "Dr. Death" booth of forensic entomologist Robert "Bob" Kimsey of the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology faculty, as he discussed his work and fielded questions. It all happened from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Zachary "Zach" Griebenow, a doctoral candidate in the Phil Ward lab, is ready to answer your questions about insects. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Something 'Bugging' You? Ask the Bug Doctors

April 14, 2023
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
Do you have an insect question? Ask it at the "Doctor Is In" bug booth at Briggs Hall from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, April 15 during the 109th annual UC Davis Picnic Day. The "docs" are two entomologists: doctoral candidate Zachary "Zach" Griebenow and doctoral student Ziv Lieberman.
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Theme of the Bohart's open house is "Bugs, Boom, Bang!" This critter, a Madagascar hissing cockroach, will hiss. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Bohart: Bugs, Boom, Bang!

April 13, 2023
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
Talk about alliteration! Bohart: Bugs, Boom, Bang! That's the theme of the Bohart Museum of Entomology open house when the scientists and associates greet visitors during the 109th annual campuswide UC Davis Picnic Day on Saturday, April 15. The Bohart will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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