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.

A Madagascar hissing cockroach rides the shoulder of Wade Spencer, entomology major at UC Davis. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Pardon Me, There's Something on Your Shoulder!

April 20, 2015

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

Pardon me, there's something on your shoulder! And yes, there was. A Madagasar hissing cockroach was one of the critters that UC Davis entomology major Wade Spencer showed to guests at the Bohart Museum of Entomology open house last Saturday during the 101st annual campuswide Picnic Day.

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If you're interesting in collecting insects, stop by Briggs Hall on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to learn how to make an insect collection. Here a leafcutter bee is targeting a Gulf Fritillary butterfly. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Learn How to Make an Insect Collection--Online and During UC Davis Picnic Day

April 17, 2015

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

So, you want to make an insect collection? How do you begin? Where do you start? Distinguished Professor James R. Carey of the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology led a class on how to do just that several years ago.

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Figuring out the measurements are secretary Christine Melvin, member Hunter Bolt, president Marko Marrero, and member Sam Shook. (Photo by Alex Nguyen)

Get Ready for the 40-Foot-Long Black Widow Spider!

April 16, 2015

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

In real life, the black widow spider is about 1.5 inches long. You'd never know that if you looked in the backyard of UC Davis entomologists Robert and Lynn Kimsey.

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Beekeepers like to sample honey fresh from a comb. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A Honey of a Day, a Honey of a Picnic

April 15, 2015

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

It promises to be a "honey of a day" and a "honey of a picnic" at the 101st annual UC Davis Picnic Day on Saturday, April 18. Lots of activities are planned campuswide, but let's focus on the bees, pollination and honey tasting.

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UC Davis professor Diane Ullman created this maggot art last year during the UC Davis Picnic Day. Maggots are dipped into non-toxic, water-based paint and allowed--or encouraged--to roam. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Just Buggin' Ya! The Good, The Bad and the Bugly

April 14, 2015

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

In Journalism 101, students learn that news stories need the Four Ws--who, what, when, where and why" and the H--"how come." But when it comes to UC Davis Picnic Day 101, the "101" doesn't mean inexperience.

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