Bug Squad

It's Veterans' Day, and after paying tribute to the military veterans (my ancestors have fought in all of our nation's wars, dating back to the American Revolution--and my other half is a U.S. Air Force veteran), I slip out the back door to our pollinator garden to see where the insect action is.

Ever wanted to raise praying mantids, butterflies, silkworm moths and other insects? Or arachnids such as tarantulas? Scientists at the UC Davis Bohart Museum of Entomology will help you do just that.

The emerald ash borer, a wood-boring beetle native to northeastern Asia and now invasive in much of the United States, doesn't just target ash trees. The jewel beetle engages in host shifting.

Oh, the squabble over what is--and what is not--manuka honey. The battle is far from sweet. Manuka honey is produced in New Zealand and Australia, but New Zealand claims the manuka honey trademark. Australia says that's not fair. They want to use it, too.

When UC Davis agricultural entomologist Christian Nansen wanted to develop a free smart phone application to help strawberry growers predict spray coverage to combat pests, he knew just where to go. The UC Davis Computer Science Club. And, now the three-year collaborative project is a reality.