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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 forensic entomologist Robert Kimsey at the Vacaville Museum's "Art of Death" gallery exhibit. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

'It's One Universal Experience We All Wlll Share'

September 24, 2025
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
 "It's one universal experience we all will share."So said a panel of eight professional experts in the death industry when they gathered in the Vacaville Museum courtyard to discuss their work. The museum hosted the panel discussion as part of its current gallery exhibition, "The Art of Death," which…
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Male subadult praying mantis, Stagmomantis limbata. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Look Before You Leap!

September 23, 2025
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
 "Look before you leap!"How many times have you heard that or something similar: "Pay attention! Watch your step! Be careful!  Be vigilant!"But have you ever seen a praying mantis take a step and then a gigantic leap--right into a spider web? "That's one small step for mantis, one giant leap for…
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Asian tiger mosquito.

Meet Lisa Baik, New Mosquito Researcher at UC Davis

September 22, 2025
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
 Meet Lisa Baik, the new mosquito researcher at UC Davis.Baik, a UC Davis alumna and a former postdoctoral researcher at Yale University--and described as a “brilliant scientist”--is the newest member of the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology  (ENT) faculty.Baik joined the faculty…
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Culex quinquefasciatus (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Who's Speaking at UC Davis Entomology Fall Seminars?

September 19, 2025
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
 Who's speaking at the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology seminars for the fall quarter?Marshall McMunn, assistant professor of teaching and coordinator of the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology's 2025-26 seminars, has announced the fall seminar schedule.Seminars will begin…
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Hannah Burrack, entomologist

Entomologist Hannah Burrack: Outstanding UC Davis Alumna

September 18, 2025
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
 It's a distinct privilege and high honor to receive the Thomas and Nina Leigh Distinguished Alumni Award from the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology.Meet Hannah Burrack, professor and chair of the Department of Entomology at Michigan State University, who will receive the award and…
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