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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 painted lady, Vanessa cardui, nectars on five-spot, Nemophilia maculate, Wednesday afternoon, in the Biological Orchard and Gardens (BOG), UC Davis campus. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Painted Ladies: What a Delight to See!

March 20, 2019
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
In between the rains today, we saw them. So beautiful! Painted ladies, Vanessa cardui, nectaring in patches of colorful wildflowers in the Biological Orchard and Gardens (BOG), located behind the Mann Laboratory on University of California, Davis campus.
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A painted lady, Vanessa cardui, photographed on lantana in Vacaville in 2015. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Painted Ladies on the Move

March 19, 2019
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
The painted ladies are on the move. Have you seen these migratory butterflies, Vanessa cardui, passing through California on their way to the Pacific Northwest? Me? No! Zero. Zilch. Zip.
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It's finals week! Coco McFluffin, a Chaco golden knee tarantula, will be one of the de-stressors at the Meet-n-Greet Bug Show from noon to 1 p.m., Tuesday, March 19 in the UC Davis LGBTQUIA Resource Center. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Meet-n-Greet the Bugs!

March 18, 2019
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
It's finals week at the University of California, Davis, and what a great opportunity to take time to de-stress...
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The female metallic green sweat bee, Agapostemon texanus, nectaring on a purple coneflower. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

When Irish Eyes Are Smiling...There Must Be a Green Insect Nearby

March 15, 2019
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
When Irish eyes are smiling, it could be... St. Patrick's Day is approaching or A green insect is nearby If you've ever seen the female metallic green sweat bee, Agapostemon texanus, or the sand wasp, Bembix americana, you can't help but think about the "Wearing of the Green.
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