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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. 

The UC Davis Entomology Games Team is comprised of (from left) Erin "Taylor" Kelly, Madison "Madi" Hendrick, captain Zachary Griebenow, and Jill Oberski.

A Tip of the Net to Our UC Davis PBESA Winners

April 8, 2022
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
A tip of the net to our trio of UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology award recipients who will be honored when the Pacific Branch, Entomological Society of America (PBESA) meets April 10-13 in the Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country. Santa Rosa.
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Dorsal view of the larva of a lady beetle, aka ladybug, on a strawberry plant in Vacaville, Calif. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

They Are Not Your Enemy

April 7, 2022
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
They're not exactly cute, cuddly little critters. Some folks say they look like miniature alligators or "ugly, spiky orange-and-black buggy thingies.
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Two honey bees foraging on berry blossoms at the UC Davis Ecological Garden at the Student Farm. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Bees Buzzing on Breathtakingly Beautiful Berry Blossoms

April 6, 2022
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
The alliteration doesn't get much better--bees buzzing on breathtaking berry blossoms. Berry blossoms are in full bloom in the UC Davis Ecological Garden of the Student Farm, part of the UC Agricultural Sustainabilty Institute.
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A soldier beetle seeking aphids and other soft-bodied insects on a strawberry plant. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Soldiering On

April 5, 2022
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
They're curious little critters. When solider beetles (family Cantharidae) go on patrol in your garden, don't kill them. They're not being deployed to harm you. They're the good guys. They eat aphids and other soft-bodied insects.
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