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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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This is a male trapdoor spider in the genus Promyrmekiaphila. Youths are invited to name the species.

Name That Spider Species

June 17, 2022
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
If you're a student 18 or under, here's your chance to name a spider species. You'll win the distinction of being selected the winner, and you'll be acknowledged in a scientific paper.
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This image of a yellow-faced bumble bee, Bombus vosnesenskii, foraging on lupine at Bodega Bay, was part of a photo series that won an international award from ACE. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Humbled and Honored to Receive ACE Awards

June 16, 2022
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
I'm humbled and honored to have received two major awards this week from the Association for Communication Excellence (ACE). It's an international association of communicators, educators and information technologists who focus on communicating research-based information.
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A jumping spider peers at the photographer. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Jumping Jehosphaphat!

June 15, 2022
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
If I had a pet jumping spider--which I don't--I'd name him "Jumping Jehosphaphat.
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Heather DeGroot of Vallejo, coordinator of the McCormack Hall exhibits, Solano County Fair, shows a watercolor by Richard Laswell of Rio Vista that depicts three dragonflies. In back is an oils-acrylic butterfly by Ashley Workman of Vallejo. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Sneak Peak at a Couple of Solano County Fair Entries

June 13, 2022
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
A sneak peak at a couple of Solano County Fair entries...think insects! The COVID-19 pandemic derailed fairs and festivals, but now they're back on track. Take the 73rd annual Solano County Fair, themed "Bales of Fun.
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