Bug Squad

Ever seen a mantidfly, also called a mantisfly? Bohart Museum of Entomology associate John De Benedictis, aka "Moth Man," brought a mantidfly, an insect that's parasitic to spiders, to the museum on Tuesday.

It was "b-day" today at The Bohart Museum of Entomology in honor of longtime Bohart associate Robbin Thorp, distinguished emeritus professor of entomology at the University of California, Davis. Bohart associates sang "Happy Birthday" and cheered when he blew out a candle on the dessert plate.

Thar's gold in them thar hills? Probably not. But thar's definitely gold in that there pollinator garden--our little pollinator garden in Vacaville, Calif. Gold, black and white--as in the iconic monarch caterpillars. We've been waiting all year for Mama Monarchs to lay some eggs on our milkweed.

This year ranks as the worst monarch season he's ever seen in California. But...this year ranks as the best milkweed season he's ever seen in California.

The three men pause in front of the Kate Frey Pollinator Garden at the Sonoma Cornerstone and begin to read the sign. "The Pollinator Garden by Kate Frey," one man reads out loud. "It's brand new, come back soon and watch as it grows. This flower-filled and colorful garden is a pollinator garden.