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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. 

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UC Davis entomology freshman student Kat Taylor answers questions at the Jason Bond lab display table. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Scorpions Draw Curious Looks and Scores of Questions

February 27, 2023
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
What's to know about scorpions, the predatory arachnids in the order Scorpiones? Access Wikipedia, and you'll learn they have eight legs, a pair of grasping pincers, and generally, a narrow, segemented tail that's curved over the back and ends with a stinger.
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UC Davis distinguished professor Bruce Hammock, chief scientific officer and chairman of the board of EicOsis Human Health LLC. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Good News All Around

February 23, 2023
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
Congratulations to UC Davis doctoral alumna and researcher Cindy McReynolds and UC Davis distinguished professor of entomology Bruce Hammock.
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