Bug Squad

What, hippos thriving in Colombia? Yes! If you've been reading The New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and National Geographic, you know about this.

When doctoral candidate and entomologist extraordinaire Brendon Boudinot delivered his exit seminar on ants to the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology, he drew acclaim, admiration and applause.

"Eat your greens," they say. Okay, we don't need any encouragement, but apparently many other folks need a push, a poke or a prod to eat cole crops, including cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, mustard, kale and kohlrabi. Well, cabbage aphids need no encouragement.

Meanwhile, in between social distancing, what's happening in the world of insects? We were surprised to see a skipper butterfly today (March 25) foraging in our bed of mustard in Vacaville, Calif.

While you're sheltering in place due to the coronavirus pandemic precautions, not too many people are aware of a new faculty member in the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology, recently arrived from Harvard.