Bug Squad

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 "very gravid" female Western tiger swallowtail (Papilio rutulus) nectars on a butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii). (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The Beauty of a Western Tiger Swallowtail

July 27, 2018

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

One of the joys of planting a pollinator garden is watching majestic butterflies flutter in and sip a little nectar. Today a Western tiger swallowtail (Papilio rutulus) took a liking to a butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii) in our Vacaville garden.

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Distinguished professor John Casida (center) with his former graduate students Sarjeet Gill (left), a distinguished professor at UC Riverside, and Bruce Hammock, a distinguished professor at UC Davis. This image was taken in 2016 at UC Berkeley.

Remembering the Legendary Entomologist and Toxicologist Dr. John Casida

July 26, 2018

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

Graduate students and postdoctoral students that the legendary John Casida trained remember him with great fondness, respect and appreciation. He made a difference: a huge difference. Dr.

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The California State Fair's Insect Pavilion lauded the Bohart Museum of Entomology for donating insect specimens. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Bugging You at the California State Fair

July 25, 2018

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

The Insect Pavilion at the California State Fair, which includes specimens from the Bohart Museum of Entomology at the University of California, Davis, showcases the good, the bad and the bugly. The fair opened Friday, July 13 and continues through Sunday, July 29.

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Retired entomologist and UC DAvis alumnus Norm Smith (second from left) talks to visitors at the Bohart Museum of Entomology's "Moth Night." The white witch (see display on the far left) is the largest moth in the world. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

What a Night for Moths and Spectators!

July 24, 2018

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

What a night! What a night--both inside and outside the Bohart Museum of Entomology at the University of California, Davis on Saturday, July 21.

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UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology professor Jason Bond examines a scarab beetle at the blacklighting display set up during Moth Night. Bond, a new member of the faculty, is professor of entomology and the Evert and Marion Schlinger Endowed Chair in insect systematics. At left is "Moth Man" John De Benedictus, Bohart Museum associate. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Scarab Beetles First to Arrive at UC Davis 'Moth Night'

July 23, 2018

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

It was "Moth Night" at the Bohart Museum of Entomology last Saturday night, but three scarab beetles beat the moths to the blacklighting display. The UC Davis event took place from 8 to 11 p.m.

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