Bug Squad

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.

When Science and Art Meet

November 29, 2015

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

When entomologist Diane Ulman, professor of entomology at the University of California, Davis, and self-described rock artist Donna Billick of Davis co-founded the UC Davis Art/Science Fusion Program, one of the many outcomes is LASER.

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'Fourteen' Is a Lucky Number: That's Where the Monarchs Are

November 27, 2015

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

"Fourteen" is a lucky number at the Berkeley Aquatic Park, 80 Bolivar Drive, Berkeley. Fourteen is considered a day of love and romance, as in the 14th of February, Valentine's Day. But at the Berkeley Aquatic Park, it's also love. Love at first sight. Or love at first site.

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When Material Possessions Tear at the Very Fabric of Our Lives

November 26, 2015

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

When material possessions tear at the very fabric of our lives, it's time to re-weave and re-think. Gimme more, gimme more, gimme more! seems to be the mantra of the rich and famous and the faux rich and famous.

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Insect Art in the Garden

November 25, 2015

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

If you look closely, you'll not only see the cycle of life in your garden, but art as the center of life. Take the Gulf Fritillaries. They're a stunning orangish-reddish butterfly (Agraulis vanillae) with silver-spangled underwings.

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The Unpredictable Monarchs

November 24, 2015

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

You never know what they will do. When you release newly emerged monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus), some linger in the comfort of your hand. Some soar high into the sky. Some flutter to a nearby bush or tree. When we released two newly emerged monarch butterflies on Nov.

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