Bug Squad

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.

Have roach, will race! Don't miss the cockroach races at Briggs Hall during the 105th annual UC Davis Picnic Day. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Bugs at Briggs: A Banner Day on April 13

April 9, 2019

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

It just wouldn't be a picnic without bugs. Briggs Hall, home of the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology, will turn into a bugfest during the 105th annual UC Davis Picnic Day on Saturday, April 13. Think cockroach races, maggot art, and bee and ant displays, to name a few.

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Scores of visitors will tour the Bohart Museum of Entomology on UC Davis Picnic Day, Saturday, April 13. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Will Travel for Bugs! Bohart Museum Featuring Global Collections on UC Davis Picnic Day

April 8, 2019

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

You don't have to travel the world to see insects. You can see them at the Bohart Museum of Entomology during the campuswide UC Davis Picnic Day, set Saturday, April 13. The theme is "Will Travel for Bugs: The Bohart Museum of Entomology's Collections From Around the World.

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A yellow-faced bumble bee, Bombus vosnesenskii, nectars on a spiked floral purple plant, Salvia indigo spires (Salvia farinacea x S. farinacea) at the Kate Frey Pollinator Garden at the Sonoma Cornerstone. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Salivating Over Salvia? Premiere Plant Sale at UC Davis Arboretum on Saturday, April 6

April 5, 2019

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

Salivating over salvia? You can see, salivate--and purchase--salvias and more at the spring premiere plant sale sponsored by the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden on Saturday, April 6. They'll offer everything from "Bee's Bliss" to "Black Lace" to "Blaze" to "Brilliance.

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A newly emerged anise swallowtail, Papilio zelicaon, spreads its wings on anise, its host plant, in Vacaville, Calif. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Art Shapiro: 'Butterflies as Heralds of the Apocalypse'

April 4, 2019

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

Butterflies, beer and a bar...

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A pollen-laden honey bee heads for more pollen and nectar on mustard. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Yes, I'll Have Some Mustard, Please!

April 3, 2019

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

Yes, I'll have some mustard, please. Yes, both the pollen and the nectar, thank you. We watched a honey bee buzz into our little mustard patch, her proboscis (tongue) extended, and pollen weighting her down. If she were at the airport, someone would have volunteered to carry her bags.

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