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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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Miss Honey Bee, Benji Shade of Woodland Christian High School, takes a selfie with her teacher, Jessica Hiatt at the inaugural California Honey Festival in downtown Woodland. This year's festival is Saturday, May 5.

California Honey Festival: Bee-ing All It Can Bee

May 3, 2018
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
You may not be able to get close enough to take a selfie with a honey bee foraging on your flowers, but you'll be able to take a selfie of a bee at the California Honey Festival. With the costumed bee mascot.
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Extension apiculturist Elina Lastro Niño (left) demonstrates how to open a hive to a UC Davis summer camp. She'll be giving three live bee demonstrations at the California Honey Bee Festival: the first at 11:15, then 1 p.m. and the third at 3:45 in the bee tent. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Why You Should Bee-Coming to the California Honey Festival

May 2, 2018
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
Here's why you should bee-coming to the second annual California Honey Festival, set from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, May 5 in downtown Woodland. Think fun, food, friends, family, and free. The honey-of-an-event--attendance is free--promises to be both entertaining and educational.
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