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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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Bohart Museum 75th anniversary banner

Swing That Net!

April 14, 2025
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
 Bug Squad Blog By Kathy Keatley GarveySwing that net! Catch that butterfly!The Bohart Museum of Entomology at UC Davis encouraged people of all ages to show their skills at netting a butterfly replica on the Briggs Hall lawn last Saturday during the 111th annual campuswide UC Davis Picnic Day.The…
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A monarch flag signifies the home of the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology.

UC Davis Picnic Day: Ready, Set, Go!

April 11, 2025
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
 Bug Squad Blog By Kathy Keatley GarveyThe long-awaited UC Davis Picnic Day activities at Briggs Hall will begin at 9 a.m., Saturday, April 12 and continue until 5 p.m.It promises to be a fun-filled and educational event where roaches races, maggots crawl and the crowd cheers. And everyone learns more…
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Lady beetle in flight. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Ladybug, Ladybug, Fly Away Home!

April 10, 2025
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
 Bug Squad Blog By Kathy Keatley Garvey"Ladybug, ladybug, fly away home! "Your house is on fire and your children are gone”Who hasn’t loved that nursery rhyme about ladybugs? (Actually, ladybugs are beetles, not bugs, but that’s a different story.)At the 111th annual campuswide UC Davis Picnic Day on…
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Malaria mosquito, Anopheles stephensi, drawing blood. (Wikipedia Photo)

Mosquito Researcher to Discuss His Work on Immune Cells

April 9, 2025
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
 Bug Squad Blog By Kathy Keatley Garvey "Mosquitoes are arguably the deadliest animal on the planet, threatening half of the world's population with the risk of mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue."So says mosquito researcher Ryan Smith, an associate professor in Iowa State University's…
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Bug Squad template. Bumble bee foraging on bull thistle. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Nothing But Net--And a Butterfly

April 8, 2025
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
 You may not be a proficient at netting an insect like entomologist Fran Keller, UC Davis doctoral alumna and Folsom Lake College professor is, but you can try your skills at the 111th annual UC Davis Picnic Day on Saturday, April 12 and maybe win a poster.The Bohart Museum of Entomology invites you to…
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