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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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A Western tiger swallowtail, Papilio rutulus, nectaring on a butterfly bush, Buddleia davidii. Many nectar plants will be available at the UC Davis Arboretum Nursery online plant sales. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

UC Davis Arboretum Teaching Nursery's Online Plant Sales Scheduled

October 6, 2021
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
If you've been thinking about bees, butterflies and other pollinators--and wondering when the next UC Davis Arboretum Teaching Nursery online plant sales will take place--mark your calendar. Members-Only Online Plant Sales with Curbside Pick-Up. You shop at the online plant store Tuesday, Oct.
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A male long-horned bee, Melissodes agilis, chases a female of the species over a Mexican sunflower, Tithonia rotundifola, in a Vacaville pollinator garden. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The Chase

October 5, 2021
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
If you've ever tried to photograph male long-horned bees, Melissodes agilis, you know how fast they can fly and how quick they can dart. They fly even faster when they're chasing the females of their species. It was the last day of June.
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