Bug Squad Logo

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. 

This 'B' Gets an 'A' for Good Grooming

April 29, 2016
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
This "B" gets an "A" for good grooming. We recently watched a honey bee land on the edge of a planter. "Hmm," we thought. "Why is she landing there? She should be foraging on the flowers in the pollinator garden." We soon found out.
View Article

Stop and Smell the Roses at UC Davis Rose Weekend

April 28, 2016
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
Back in 2013 we purchased a stunning yellow rose, "Sparkle and Shine," at the UC Davis Rose Weekend. Well, it was a natural thing to do--a honey bee was on it! Honey bees aren't all that attracted to commercial roses, but this one was. Honey bees are still attracted to it.
View Article

Take Your Sons and Daughters to Work!

April 27, 2016
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
It's about connecting. It's about learning where parents work and what they do. It's about fun. That's what will happen on Thursday, April 28 during the annual "Take Your Daughters and Sons to Work" day at the University of California, Davis.
View Article

Not Too Late for a Date with the Bee Experts

April 25, 2016
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
If you haven't registered yet for the second annual UC Davis Bee Symposium: Keeping Bees Healthy, a daylong event focusing on bee health and best management practices, there's still time. The event, open to the public, is set from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
View Article
Subscribe