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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 yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, has been detected in 17 California counties since 2013. (CDC Photo)

Targeting the Yellow Fever Mosquito in California

March 16, 2021
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
If you've been following the startling spread of the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, into California--it's been detected as far north as Shasta County since 2013--then you'll want to read about the innovative research underway by a team of UC Davis scientists led by medical entomologist-geneti...
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A honey bee on honeycomb. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Honey, What's Going On with the Honey?

March 15, 2021
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
Honey, what's going on with the honey? If you're a beekeeper, a food retailer, in honey production or just want to know more about honey adulteration and food authenticity and what you can do about it, this one's for you.
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This is Henry as a winter monarch caterpillar found in the front yard of Karen Gideon, Greenbrae. It was feasting on her milkweed, “Hello Yellow” Asclepias tuberosa, native to eastern and southwestern North America. (Photo by Karen Gideon)

A Monarch Named Henry on 'Hello Yellow'

March 11, 2021
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
Meet Henry, "an unexpected guest." Make that "an early, unexpected guest who was given a warm welcome and an even warmer send-off." Henry is a Marin County winter monarch butterfly.
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A honey bee gives a "high five." (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A Honey Bee 'High Five'

March 10, 2021
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
"Honey bees contribute nearly $20 billion to the value of U.S. crop production," according to the American Beekeeping Federation's Pollination Facts. "This contribution, made by managed honey bees, comes in the form of increased yields and superior quality crops for growers and American consumers.
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