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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A honey bee gathering pollen from a California golden poppy, California's state flower. The honey bee originated from Africa. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Celebrating the Honey Bee

August 10, 2015
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
Confusion exists as to whether National Honey Bee Day is Aug. 15 or Aug. 22. The group that formed National Honey Bee Awareness Day says its Aug. 15. Pennsylvania Apiculture, aka PennApic, launched the National Honey Bee Awareness Day in 2009. The U.S.
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A praying mantis is sprawled out on a hummingbird feeder, as a hummer takes a drink. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Watch Out!

August 7, 2015
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
The hummingbirds seemed apprehensive. They'd fly to the feeder, stop in mid-air, and turn back. What was keeping them from the feeder? A closer look revealed what the casual observer wouldn't notice: a praying mantis.
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A honey bee pollinating an apple blossom. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

What Do You Know About Neonics?

August 6, 2015
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
What do you know about neonicotinoids, aka neonics? An educational opportunity to learn more about them--the truths and the myths--will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 9 at the University of Caifornia, Davis, and you're invited. It's open to the public.
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Praying mantids emerging from an ootheca. (Photo by Rita LeRoy)

An Absolutely Amazing Photo!

August 5, 2015
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
Rita LeRoy, the self-described "Farm Keeper" at the Loma Vista Farm, Vallejo, takes amazing photos. We recently wrote about the farm, part of the Vallejo City Unified School District, when we visited it during the annual spring festival.
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A lady beetle picks up a hitchhiker, an oleander aphid. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The Hitchhiker

August 4, 2015
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
Oleander aphids, those cartoonish-looking yellow insects with black legs and cornicles, are commonly found on oleanders. Hence their name. But they also are partial to milkweeds, the host plant of the monarch butterfly. It's a daily challenge to rid those Draculalike pests from our milkweed plants.
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