Bug Squad

Fact: Milkweed is the host plant of the monarch butterfly, Danaus plexippus. Fact: Without milkweed, no monarchs. Yet a milkweed species that's been thriving in California for more than a century is getting a bad rap.

California citrus growers, especially those who grow grapefruit, hate this pest, Anastrepha ludens, the Mexican fruit fly or Mexfly.

The late Mary Foley Benson would have been proud.

Never be late for dinner or it might be all gone. Take the case of the Mexican sunflowers, Tithonia rotundifola, that we planted last April for the monarchs. Monarchs seem to favor Tithonia more than any other nectar source in our pollinator garden.

So, you've planted a bee garden, and you're looking at it and thinking "Okay, now what?" You'll want to register for a class on "I Planted a Bee Garden: Now What?," offered Saturday, Oct. 29 by the UC Davis Bee Haven, part of the Department of Entomology and Nematology.