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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. 

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UC Davis medical entomologist Geoffrey Attardo shows Sebastian and Kamila Ehrlich examples of what insects they might want to see in virtual reality. In back is their mother, Carollina Ehrlich. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

'Adventure Awaited' at Virtual Reality Demonstration

April 17, 2019
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
"Adventure Awaits!" the theme proclaimed. And that it did Saturday at the 105th annual UC Davis Picnic Day--especially at the second annual "Virtual Reality Bugs" display at Briggs Hall, the administrative home of the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology.
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Forensic entomologist Robert Kimsey (left) held forth at the forensic entomology table in Briggs Hall during the 2019 UC Davis Picnic Day. He recently won a College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences' advising award. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Dr. Bob, Forensic Entomology, and UC Davis Picnic Day

April 16, 2019
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
Did you see "Dr. Bob" in Briggs Hall during the UC Davis Picnic Day last Saturday? Forensic entomologist Robert "Bob" Kimsey of the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology held forth in 122 Briggs, explaining forensic entomology to curious visitors and not-so-curious visitors.
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Graduate student Yao Cai (right) serves honey at the 2018 Picnic Day activities in Briggs Hall. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Honey, Let's Go Taste Honey!

April 12, 2019
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
Honey, let's go taste honey! Yes, you can do just that at Briggs Hall during the UC Davis Picnic Day on Saturday, April 13. It's free and family friendly. And one of the crowd favorites, meadowfoam, will be offered.
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UC Davis medical entomologist Geoffrey Attardo holds one of his images, a tsete fly. He does research on the fly. He also will be showcasing his other images of vectors on UC Davis Picnic Day. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Bugs Reign Supreme at UC Davis Picnic Day

April 11, 2019
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
What's a picnic without bugs? When the 105th annual UC Davis Picnic Day takes place Saturday, April 13, thousands of visitors will explore the campus. It promises to be informative, educational and entertaining.
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