Bug Squad

A daily (M-F) blog launched Aug. 6, 2008 and about the wonderful world of insects and those who study them. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
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Female mosquito, Aedes aegypti, also known as "the dengue mosquito," drawing a blood meal. (Photo by James Gathany. United States Department of Health and Human Services)

ICE-ing on the Cake!

September 28, 2015
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
What a nice move! Especially since the United States is busily restoring diplomatic relations with Cuba. Think entomology. Think ICE. Think ICE'ing on the cake. Think ICE'ing on an entomological cake.
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A viable bee hive is a new addition in the bee garden, which was planted in the fall of 2009.(Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

'Bee' There Oct. 2 In the Bee Garden

September 25, 2015
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
Mark your calendar! The UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology has scheduled a fall open house, the last of the season, at its Hagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven on Friday, Oct. 2 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. It's free and open to the public.
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A male digger bee, Anthophora urbana, (as identified by Robbin Thorp of UC Davis) heads for a lavender blossom. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Nice to See You!

September 24, 2015
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
Nice to see you! In early spring and throughout most of the summer, we saw scores of digger bees, Anthophora urbana, living in our garden. The very territorial males patrolled the flowers, trying to save them for the females (to mate with them).
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Matthew Shepherd's front yard at his home in Beaverton, Ore., draws scores of pollinators. (Photo courtesy of Matthew Shepherd)

'Bee' One in a Million

September 23, 2015
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
You can "bee" one in a million. You can "bee" more than you ever thought of "bee-ing." And when you do, you'll be helping the bees, butterflies, beetles and bats.
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Dragonfly expert Rosser Garrison (far right) leads a discussion. From left are Bohart associate Greg Kareofelas; Bob Stahmer of Stockton, a UC Davis alumnus; and UC Davis entomology graduate student Ziad Khouri, who studies with Bohart director/UC Davis professor Lynn Kimsey. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Dragonflies! Who Isn't Fascinated by Dragonflies?

September 22, 2015
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
Dragonflies! Who isn't fascinated by dragonflies? They're an ancient insect. Their ancestors existed before dinosaurs. Indeed, fossil records show that they were the world's largest flying insects, some with wingspans measuring three feet.
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