Bug Squad Logo

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. 

Primary Image
UC Davis nematologist Shahid Siddique. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Of French Fries, Couch Potatoes and Root-Knot Nematodes

June 10, 2020
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
When you think of potatoes, your thoughts probably turn to baked potatoes, French fries, the "one-potato-two-potato" game, or "couch potatoes" (especially during the sheltering-in mandates). You're not thinking of root-knot nematodes, major pests of potatoes.
View Article
Primary Image
UC Davis biology lab manager Ivana Li discusses ocean life at the 2019 UC Davis Biodiversity Museum Day. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Ivana Li: 'The Miracle Worker'

June 9, 2020
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
You could call Ivana Li "the miracle worker." You could call Ivana Li "entomologist, biology lab manager, artist and chef extraordinaire." Or, you could call Ivana Li "UC Davis service award winner." She's all those. And more.
View Article
Primary Image
Food ought to be incorporated in every school curriculum, says Christian Nansen. Here his former students at the University of Western Australia, Preth, learn about designing and installing a garden. (Photo by Christian Nansen)

Food for Thought: And Now It's Time for Action! Teachers...Join In!

June 8, 2020
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
An excellent idea. Food ought to be incorporated as an integral part of our school curricula, says UC Davis agricultural entomologist Christian Nansen, an associate professor in the Department of Entomology and Nematology. Yes! And he welcomes teachers' involvement in this important project.
View Article
Primary Image
This is male of the species of a new genus of trapdoor spiders that UC Davis professor Jason Bond discovered in Monterey County. Bond proposes to name the genus, Cryptocteniza, part of which means “hidden or secret.” (Image by Jason Bond)

Name That Spider--And Did They Ever!

June 5, 2020
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
When UC Davis Professor Jason Bond discovered a new genus of trapdoor spiders in Monterey County and issued a call for folks to name the species, did they ever! He received more than 200 suggestions.
View Article
Primary Image
Dr. Robert Gallo discussed vaccines at the UC Davis-based COVID-19 Symposium on June 3. (Screen shot)

Did You Miss the UC Davis-Based COVID-19 Symposium?

June 4, 2020
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
If you missed the UC Davis-based Third COVID-19 Symposium, headlined by Dr. Robert Gallo, not to worry. You can view it on YouTube at https://youtu.be/O4L0OHcZ5Mk Focusing primarily on vaccines, it was broadcast Wednesday, June 3 on both Zoom and YouTube.
View Article