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)

The walnut twig beetle is about the size of a grain of rice. In association with a newly described fungus, it causes thousand cankers disease of walnut and butternut trees. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Pursuit of a Tiny Beetle Leads to Coveted Honor

April 27, 2015

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

Her research pursuit of a tiny beetle that is wreaking havoc on walnut and butternut trees throughout the United States has led to a major honor.

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Just before Cheryle O'Donnell left San Diego for Beltsville, Md. she posed for this photo, which documents her USDA career.

Thrips Expert Cheryle O'Donnell: From San Diego to Beltsville

April 24, 2015

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

Thrips expert Cheryle O'Donnell, a true UC Davis success story, is now settled into her new position. As of April 6, the former San Diego resident is the National Thysanoptera Taxonomist with the National Identification Services (NIS) at the Systematic Entomology Laboratory (SEL) in Beltsville, MD.

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Roxanne Bell, 7, of Davis, decided that Peaches, the rose-haired tarantula, "tickles!" Watching her reaction at the Bohart Museum of Entomology, during "Take Your Daughers (And Sons) to Work" Day is Joel Fuerte, 6, of Woodland. Their mothers work at UC Davis. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

From a 'Butterfly Wish' to a Tarantula Named 'Peaches'

April 23, 2015

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

What a grand event! When the University of California, Davis held its annual campus "Take Your Daughters (And Sons) to Work" Day today (April 23), the participants met one-on-one with entomologists, firefighters, physicians, plant specialists, veterinarians and scores of others in the UC Davis workf...

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A lady beetle, newly rescued from the bathroom of a restaurant in Marin County, crawls on an Iceland poppy in a Solano County bee garden. Freedom! (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Luck Be a Lady (Beetle)

April 22, 2015

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

Overhead in the lady's restroom of a restaurant at the Sausalito marina: Mother to daughter: "There's a lady in here." Daughter: "A lady? Well, why wouldn't there be a lady in here? This is a lady's restroom." Mother: "Look right over there, on the wall.

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The Pipevine Swallowtail caterpillar is black with red spines. This one was displayed at the UC Davis Picnic Day. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

From a Caterpillar to a Butterfly; Don't Eat 'em--Here's Why

April 21, 2015

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

Visitors to the UC Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program (UC IPM) display in front of Briggs Hall at the 101st annual Picnic Day last Saturday at the University of California, Davis, got a close look at the Pipevine Swallowtail caterpillar.

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