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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. 

A yellow-faced bumble bees, Bombus vosnesenskii, forages on almond blossoms in Benicia, Calif., on Feb. 2. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Not Just Honey Bees Pollinate Almonds

February 2, 2018
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
It's beginning to look a lot like...almond pollination season in California. Almonds usually begin blooming around Valentine's Day, but it's often earlier, depending on where you look or live. Take Benicia, Solano County.
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UC Davis entomology major Lohitashwa “Lohit” Garikipati showed his praying mantises at a Bohart Museum open house last September. He will be showing his collection on Saturday, Feb. 17 during the UC Davis Biodiversity Museum Day. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Praying Mantises to Draw Attention at UC Davis Biodiversity Museum Day

January 31, 2018
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
It's about value. It's about respect. It should not be about fear. UC Davis entomology major Lohitashwa Lohit Garikipati, who will be displaying his praying mantis collection at the Bohart Museum of Entomology during the seventh annual UC Davis Biodiversity Museum Day on Saturday, Feb.
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The Design Museum in Room 124 of Cruess Hall will be open during the Biodiversity Museum Day from noon to 4 p.m. The theme: "It's Bugged: Insects' Role in Design." The bee photo is by UC Davis alumnus Alex Wild. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

UC Davis Biodiversity Museum Day: Bugged!

January 30, 2018
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
In some respects, you could say the seventh annual UC Davis Biodiversity Museum Day on Saturday, Feb. 17 will be bugged! Lots of insects and other arthropods will be among the scores of attractions. The campuswide event, set from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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