Bug Squad

A daily (M-F) blog launched Aug. 6, 2008 and about the wonderful world of insects and those who study them. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A painted lady, Vanessa cardui, laying her eggs on a tower of jewels, Echium wildpretii, in Vacaville, Calif. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Painted Ladies: Yes, They Do!

May 7, 2020
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
Yes, they do, and yes, she did. Painted lady butterflies, Vanessa cardui, do lay their eggs on Echium wildpretii, commonly known as "the tower of jewels." However, this little lady (below) persistently returned a few times to find a bee-free spot.
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Entomologist Doug Yanega of UC Riverside shows two Asian giant hornets, one of which is from the colony detected and killed on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. He was sought out to identify the species.

The Hornet Wars: 'A Bloody Dumpster Fire'

May 5, 2020
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
The news stories and social media comments about the Asian giant hornet detected last year in British Columbia and Washington state and labeled the murder hornet, are drawing the ire of entomologists throughout the world. And well they should.
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An Asian giant hornet from Blaine, Wash., to be published n the journal, Insect Systematics and Diversity. (Photo by Allan Smith-Pardo of the USDA)

About Those Asian Giant Hornets...

May 4, 2020
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
The sensationalism. fear-mongering and general panic surrounding those Asian giant hornets, aka "murder hornets," detected last year in British Columbia and Washington state, are enough to curdle both the blood and the brain.
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