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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. 

Targeting Cystic Fibrosis

December 19, 2016
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
A UC Davis entomologist who started his career studying insects--and is now focused on human health--played a key role in newly published research that sheds new light on cystic fibrosis, a chronic, progressive and genetic disease characterized by persistent lung infections and inability to breathe...
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Marek Borowiec's Awesome Social Insects Award

December 16, 2016
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
Marek Borowiec, who attributes his interest in ants to E.O. Wilson's autobiography "Naturalist," has just won a major award. It's more than major: it's an international award for his distinguished research and scholarly activity.
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Bees, We Can't Get Enough of Them!

December 14, 2016
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
The joy of the season strikes a chord. When bees slip out of their California hives during winter sun breaks, they often head over to mallow blossoms to grab some nectar and pollen.
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