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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. Feedspot lists it as one of the top entomology blogs on the Internet. 

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This small moth is known as a pterphorid plume moth. It was found in the UC Davis Arboretum. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Do You Know Where Your Moths Are?

July 10, 2015
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
It's Saturday night, July 18--or soon will be. Do you know where your moths are? It so happens that July 18 marks the beginning of National Moth Week, and that event has not gone unnoticed by the Bohart Museum of Entomology.
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Two sunflower bees battle it out: a male Svastra (larger bee) delivers a quick kick to a smaller male Melissodes. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Karate Kick!

July 8, 2015
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
Boys will be boys! Especially on a Mexican sunflower (Tithonia). It's a favorite of Melissodes and Svastra sunflower bees. The males get downright defensive and aggressive when it comes to protecting their turf and seeking the females of their species.
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Mead makers have the honey bee to thank for the key ingredient: honey. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Meet Your (Mead) Maker

July 7, 2015
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
There's a "me" in mead. And now you have a chance not only to meet your (mead) maker but learn how to make a small batch of mead. The UC Davis Honey and Pollination Center wants you to know that.
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