Bug Squad

Today, June 14, is Flag Day, a time when we celebrate and commemorate our American flag. Our Continental Congress adopted the "Stars and Stripes" as our nation's flag on June 14, 1777.

It all came down to a question about a Dutch scientist, a microscopist from the 17th century.

Are you ready for National Pollinator Week, June 18-June 24? A spectacular pollinator garden that's a "must-see" is Kate Frey's pollinator garden at Sonoma Cornerstone.

Meet the competitors. In this corner, meet Mr. Teddy Bear. He's a blond, green-eyed carpenter bee, Xylocopa varipuncta, a native, and one of three species of carpenter bees commonly found from northern to southern California to western New Mexico. In the other corner, meet Mr. Bodyslam.

"Protecting American Coffee, Wine and Baseball Bats Through Areawide Integrated Pest Management (AIPM)" Those catchy words headlined a recent notice of a congressional briefing.