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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. 

A honey bee heads for a Leptospermum scoparium keatleyi, a plant also known as "the New Zealand tea tree" or bush. Manuka honey is from Leptospermum scoparium. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The Buzz Over Manuka Honey

November 6, 2019
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
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.
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Spraying a strawberry field. (Photo by Christian Nansen)

Hats Off to UC Davis Ag Entomologist and Student Computer Scientists

November 5, 2019
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
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.
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Extension apiculturist Elina Lastro Niño of the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology faculty and director of the California Master Beekeeper Program, opens a hive. She will provide a UC Davis reserach update on Friday. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Why This UC Davis Conference Is Sweet

November 4, 2019
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
You've heard of "all systems are go." In this case, "all systems are sweet." The UC Davis Honey and Pollination Center will host a Sensory Evaluation of Honey Course, Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 7-9 in the Robert Mondavi Institute (RMI) on the UC Davis campus.
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