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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. 

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A honey bee heads toward a tower of jewels, Echium wildpretii. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Merry Buzzworthy Christmas!

December 25, 2018
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
Feeling the buzz on Christmas Day? Bugs on your Christmas tree? You may have overlooked another "present": eggs of the invasive spotted landernfly may be on your tree.
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A monarch chrysalis hangs like an ornament. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

'Twas the Night Before Chrysalis...

December 24, 2018
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
'Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse --Clement Clarke Moore We never tire of hearing that immortal poem, but this year let's offer another version: 'Twas the night before chrysalis when all through the land Not a monarch was stirri...
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