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.

This photo of beekeeper Billy Synk, manager and staff research associate of the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility at UC Davis, appears on the cover of the February edition of the American Bee Journal. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Becoming a Beekeeper

February 10, 2014

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

"How do I get started in beekeeping?" This is the time of year when scores of prospective beekeepers contact Extension apiculturist Eric Mussen of the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology for advice on beginning beekeeping.

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Honey bee foraging on flowering quince. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Learning About the Pollinators

February 7, 2014

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

If you want to learn more about pollinators and sustainable gardening, then you should circle March 15 on your calendar and register for the "Pollinator Gardening Workshop, Your Sustainable Backyard.

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A syrphid fly, aka flower fly or hover fly, sipping nectar from a tower of jewels. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The Power of Red

February 6, 2014

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

There's a heartfelt reason why Friday, Feb. 7 is "UC Davis Wears Red Day." It's about raising awareness for heart disease, the No. 1 killer of both men and women. It's a battle we need to fight with an arsenal of weapons.

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Bee scientist Susan Cobey holds a frame of bees at the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility, UC Davis. (Photo by Kathy Keatley)

Women Who Keep Bees: Part of 'Women Feeding the World' Display at UC Davis

February 5, 2014

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

One is a renowned bee scientist based in Washington state. One is a noted commercial queen bee breeder in California. One is the head of the beekeeping section, Ministry of Agriculture, Botswana government. And two are beekeepers in Bolivia. Washington, California, Botswana and Bolivia...

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A walking stick being fed a leaf at the Bohart Museum of Entomology. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Your Wish Will Come True Saturday, Feb. 8

February 4, 2014

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

How many times have you walked around the University of California, Davis campus on a weekend and wished: "If only those buildings were open--I'd love to see what's inside!" Well, on Saturday, Feb. 8 your wish will come true.

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