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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. 

Bruce Hammock is a new fellow of the National Academy of Inventors. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Bruce Hammock: Scientist Extraordinaire

December 19, 2014
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
It's obvious that Bruce Hammock doesn't spend much time in a hammock. Research lab, yes. With colleagues, postdoctoral researchers, graduate students and undergraduate students, yes.
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Overwintering lady beetles, aka ladybugs, in Colusa County. (Photo by Greg Kareofelas)

Don't Miss Bohart Museum Open House Dec. 20: Insects and Art

December 18, 2014
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
When you use the words "insects," "art" and the "Bohart Museum of Entomology" in the same sentence, you immediately think of the artistic/scientific team of Fran Keller and Greg Kareofelas. And you'll meet them and see their amazing work at the Bohart Museum of Entomology's open house from 1 to 4 p.
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The UC Davis team included (from left) Margaret “Rei” Scampavia, Ralph Washington Jr., Jenny Carlson, captain Mohammad-Amir Aghaee and Danny Klittich. At far right is ESA president Frank Zalom of UC Davis who presented the team with its award. (Photo by Trav Williams of Broken Banjo Photography

Great ESA Student Debate Topic: Neonics

December 17, 2014
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
It was great to see the Entomological Society of America (ESA) select "neonicotinoids" as a student debate topic for its recent meeting in Portland, Ore. Bee health is a challenge, and this hot topic tied in with ESA President Frank Zalom's theme "Grand Challenges Beyond the Horizons.
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Matan Shelomi, wearing a UC Davis entomology shirt, stands in front of the Reichstag in Berlin.

Why Bees Are Disappearing and What You Should Know

December 16, 2014
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
If you should ask Extension apiculturist (emeritus) Eric Mussen of the University of California, Davis, whether he believes that neonicotinoids are the primary cause of colony collapse disorder (CCD), he will say answer you fair and square: "No, they're not the primary cause of CCD.
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