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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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Kyle Elshoff of the UC Davis Entomology Club retrieves a winning roach. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Run, Roaches, Run!

April 29, 2022
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
Folks will do just about anything to remove cockroaches from their homes, but when it comes to UC Davis Picnic Day, you can't remove people from them. Nor would UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology want that. Roach Races are an integral part of Picnic Day.
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UC Davis students Noel Bresson and Jordan King pose at Briggs Hall on UC Davis Picnic Day. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Wouldn't You Like to Be a Larva?

April 27, 2022
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
Would you like to be an egg, a larva, a pupa or a fly? That was the question that awaited entomology enthusiasts who descended on Briggs Hall during the 108th annual UC Davis Picnic Day on Saturday, April 23. It was a cardboard cutout...
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UC Davis alumnus Angie Velazquez of Los Angeles assists her son, Hudson Carr, 4, in his first Maggot Art project. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Maggot Art: Blending Art with Science

April 25, 2022
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
If you or your favorite child, grandchild or neighbor created Maggot Art at the 108th annual UC Davis Picnic Day on Saturday, April 23, chances are it's now framed.
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