It's been several months since I've seen a Western yellowjacket, Vespula pensylvanica. But there it was, dead. It had drowned in an outdoor water bowl. Easy pickings, you say? Easy photography! It's a beautiful insect with its black and yellow coloration.

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A Mexican cactus fly, Copestylum mexicanum, nectaring on a Mexican sunflower, Tithonia rotundifola in a Vacaville garden. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

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Say 'Hi' to a Fly on a Friday

October 25th, 2024

If you stand perfectly still and don't make any jerky movements, you can usually get a close-up image of a black syrphid fly, a Mexican cactus fly, Copestylum mexicanum. It's Friday Fly Day and this one was nectaring on a Mexican sunflower, Tithonia rotundifolia.

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UC Davis alumnus Kevin Murakoshi gifts a leaf insect origami that he crafted to the Bohart Museum of Entomology. Accepting it is UC Davis distinguished professor emerita Lynn Kimsey, former Bohart Museum director and now executive director of the Bohart Museum Society. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

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Spectacular Leaf Insect Latest Addition to Origami Display at Bohart Museum

October 24th, 2024

A spectacular leaf insect is the latest addition to the Bohart Museum of Entomology's hallway display of origami, all crafted by UC Davis alumnus Kevin Murakoshi of Davis. Leaf insects, family Phylliidae, resemble leaves as their name implies.

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The painted lady, Vanessa cardui, is a migratory butterfly. This image, taken in Vacaville, shows the butterfly nectaring on Lantana. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

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The Migratory Painted Lady and a UC Davis Chancellor's Postdoctoral Fellow

October 23rd, 2024

When folks think of "migratory butterflies," they usually associate that term with monarchs. But painted ladies, Vanessa cardui, are also migratory.

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The newly released PBS Deep Look video "Why Do Sunflowers Face the Sunrise?" is a crowd favorite. (Screen shot)

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Outstanding PBS Deep Look Video: 'Why Do Sunflowers Face the Sunrise?'

October 22nd, 2024

Sunflowers bring out the best in us. They bring us joy, happiness, hope and unity. But wait until you watch the newly released PBS Deep Look video, "Why Do Sunflowers Face the Sunrise?" that spotlights the research of UC Davis and UC Berkeley scientists.

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