Bug Squad Logo

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. 

Primary Image
A syrphid fly, probably a Syrphus opinator, warms its flight muscles in the Ruth Risdon Storer Garden, part of the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Hello, Friday Fly Day!

August 26, 2022
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
Hello, Friday Fly Day! It's time to post an image of syrphid fly, aka hover fly or flower fly. We took this dorsal view of a syrphid fly in January of 2009.
View Article
Primary Image
UC Davis distinguished professor Walter Leal is the sixth UC Davis faculty member to be be named Honorary Member of the Entomological Society of America. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Congrats to Three Outstanding Entomologists

August 24, 2022
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
Congratulations to the three newly selected Honorary Members of the Entomological Society of America (ESA): UC Davis distinguished professor Walter Leal, UC Davis-educated Melody Keena, a research entomologist with the U.S.
View Article
Primary Image
This monarch, tagged by one of David James' citizen scientists in Ashland, Ore., on Aug. 26, 2018, fluttered into a Vacaville pollinator garden on Sept. 5, 2016. "It flew 285 miles in 7 days or about 40.7 miles per day," James related. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Learn About Monarchs at Western Monarch Summit in San Luis Obispo

August 23, 2022
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
If you're a monarch butterfly scientist, a researcher, a citizen scientist, a conservationist, or just an aficionado, mark your calendar. The 2023 International Western Monarch Summit will take place Friday through Sunday, Jan. 20-22 at Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo, and registration is now underway.
View Article
Primary Image
A lady beetle prepares for take-off in a Vacaville pollinator garden. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Flight of the Lady Beetle

August 22, 2022
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
Have you ever seen a lady beetle, aka ladybird beetle, aka ladybug, take flight? Have you ever photographed it? It's early morning, Aug. 20. A lady beetle is snacking on aphids on our native milkweed plant (where the monarchs are supposed to be, but aren't!).
View Article