Bug Squad

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. Feedspot lists it as one of the top entomology blogs on the Internet.

This was part of Extension apiculturist emeritus Eric Mussen's office, ready to be moved. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Eric Has Left the Building

December 13, 2021

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

Remember when, following an Elvis Presley concert, an emcee would announce "Elvis has left the building"? That was to signal that Elvis would not be returning for an encore. Since then, "Elvis has left the building," has served as a catchphrase for not only music celebrities but for retirees.

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Overwintering monarchs at Natural Bridges State Park, Santa Cruz, in 2016. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Western Monarch Population Increase: What Does This Mean?

December 10, 2021

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

What does the increase in the overwintering Western monarch population along coastal California mean? The number of Danaus plexippus sightings showed a 100-fold increase as compared to last year, according to the Thanksgiving count initiated by the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

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A close-up of an aphid giving birth in a Vacaville pollinator garden. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Ever Seen an Aphid Giving Birth?

December 9, 2021

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

You know those dratted aphids, those little pests that suck the very lifeblood out of your prized plants? Well, have you ever watched them give birth? They do, you know. Live births. The UC Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program says that "Aphids have many generations a year.

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A winged termite ready for flight as another termite waits. This image was taken Oct. 27 in Vacaville, Calif.(Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

How Termites 'Looking for Love' Landed in the News

December 8, 2021

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

What a year! Termites seem to be capturing the interest of more folks than usual. First, emeritus Cooperative Extension specialist Vernard Lewis of UC Berkeley, highly respected as "The Termite Man," drew widespread attention on Nov.

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The yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, will be the topic of a UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology seminar on Jan. 12. (Photo courtesy of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention)

Who's Speaking at the UC Davis Entomology/Nematology Seminars?

December 7, 2021

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

Talk about a full schedule! Nematologist Shahid Siddique, assistant professor, UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology, not only excels at research, teaching and public service but he serves as the coordinator of the department's weekly seminars for the 2021-22 academic year.

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