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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. 

Where's the Praying Mantis?

August 12, 2016
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
It's one of the most recognizable of all insects--if you can find it. Ever had someone poke you and point toward a plant: "Look, there's a praying mantis?" "Where?" "Right there. See it?" "No. Where is it? "Right there. It's right there. Can't you see it?" "No.
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Seeing Yellow: Why? Outbreak of Alfalfa Butterflies

August 11, 2016
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
If you've been driving near alfalfa fields in Yolo County and other Central California counties lately, you've probably noticed them. Splat! Splat! Splat! What was that? A squadron of flying insects? No, more like multiple squadrons of flying insects.
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Gotta Love Those 'Cats

August 10, 2016
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
You gotta love those 'cats. Gulf Fritillary caterpillars (Agraulis vanillae) are always hungry. They're as hungry as teenagers returning home from a marathon swimming meet or from a double-overtime basketball game. As soon as they step in the front door, it's off to the refrigerator.
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The Joy of Rearing Monarchs Is Releasing Them

August 8, 2016
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
Oh, the joy of rearing monarchs...from an egg to a caterpillar to a chrysalis to an adult... However, the ultimate joy is not in rearing them, but releasing them--from their confined and well-protected indoor habitat to that Spectacular Spacious World Without Boundaries.
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