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

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Lepidopterist Robert "Bob" Michael Pyle searches through the drawers of butterfly specimens at the Bohart Museum of Entomology. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Robert Michael Pyle, Butterflies and The Dark Divide

September 23, 2020
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
Butterfly expert Robert "Bob" Michael Pyle, founder of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, is not only a national award-winning author, a teacher, a public speaker and a conservationist--but now he's on screen. Well, sort of "on screen.
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This the cover of second-grader Greg Kareofelas booklet on monarchs. He now serves as an associate at the Bohart Museum of Entomology, UC Davis, and as a tour guide for non-profit organizations.

Why We Need to Teach Science in Elementary School

September 22, 2020
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
Two adults, apparently not science aficionados, recently asked me: "What is entomology?" Quick answer: insect science. "What is a monarch?" Quick answer: An orange and black butterfly that's the icon of the butterfly world. Science.
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The Egg: Greg Kareofelas collected this egg from a narrowleaf milkweed in his Davis yard on Aug. 25. (Photo by Greg Kareofelas)

A Monarch Named Ruth

September 21, 2020
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
When a monarch butterfly fluttered into the Davis garden of naturalist Greg Kareofelas and laid an egg on his narrowleaf milkweed, it marked the beginning of a story that ended with the flight of Ruth.
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A honey bee nectaring on African blue basil blossoms is unaware that on the other side, camouflaged and hidden in the shadows, is a praying mantis. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The Honey Bee and the Praying Mantis

September 18, 2020
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
So I'm a praying mantis and being a top-notch real estate developer, I've located the best place in the pollinator garden. I have acquired the proper plans and permits to orchestrate complete control over the property. Ah, the fragrance of the African blue basil. The tasty nectar.
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A honey bee nectaring on African blue basil in Vacaville, Calif. At right is Salvia microphylla "Hot Lips." (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The Beauty of the Bee

September 17, 2020
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
Have you ever pulled up a chair in your garden and watched honey bees foraging? They are so intent on their "bees-ness" that they don't know you're there. It's a great opportunity to photograph them.
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