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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. 

Male Valley carpenter bee draws attention at the Bohart Museum of Entomology's open house on UC Davis Picnic Day. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Golden Boy

April 14, 2014
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
A "golden boy" drew a lot of attention at the Bohart Museum of Entomology last Saturday, April 12 during the campuswide UC Davis Picnic Day. "Golden boy?" A male Valley carpenter bee (Xylocopa varipuncta) to be exact.
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A maggot dipped in water-based, non-toxic paint crawls on paper. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Just Me and My Maggot

April 11, 2014
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
If you've never been to Briggs Hall during the annual campuswide Picnic Day at the University of California, Davis, you're missing a special kind of art. Maggot Art. Yes, you read that right. Maggot Art.
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Fish-eye view of the honey tasting at Briggs Hall during the UC Davis Picnic Day. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Honey, Let's Go Honey Tasting!

April 10, 2014
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
Want to sample some honey? How about almond, yellow starthistle, leatherwood, cultivated buckwheat, safflower and wild oak?
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Honey bees on an onion umbel. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Bees and Onions Go Together: Pollination Partners

April 9, 2014
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
The University of California, Davis, is a world leader in seed, plant and agricultural sciences. Some 100 seed and seed-related companies are located near UC Davis and benefit greatly from its proximity, but the influence of UC Davis extends throughout the USA and far beyond.--Seed Central.
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