Bug Squad

A daily (M-F) blog launched Aug. 6, 2008 and about the wonderful world of insects and those who study them. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
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Honey bee heading for borage. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Blue October

October 24, 2012
It's "Orange October" for the San Francisco Giants, who just defeated the Detroit Tigers in the opening game of the World Series. But over at the Luther Burbank's Gold Ridge Experiment Farm at 7781 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol, it's Blue October.
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Madagascar hissing cockroaches are a big attraction at the Bohart Museum of Entomology. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Boo, Hiss (What Was THAT?)

October 23, 2012
When you combine a "boo" with a "hiss," what do you get? The Bohart Museum of Entomology's annual pre-Halloween open house. The "boo"--in the way of costumes and decorations--is traditional. The hiss? That's the sound emanating from the Madagascar hissing cockroaches, aka "hissers.
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Gulf Fritillary butterfly showing signs of a predatory miss. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Close Call

October 22, 2012
Whew! That was close! When you see a butterfly with a gaping hole in its wingspan, you wonder what predator tried to grab it. A praying mantis? A bird? A crab spider or jumping spider? A playful cat or dog? Whatever tried to grab it, it missed.
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A jumping spider on a pink rose soaks in some sun. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Why Spiders Are Not Insects

October 19, 2012
It's almost time for Halloween, when all self-respecting little ghosts, goblins and ghouls take a special interest in spiders. We saw this little jumping spider (below) on a pink rose. It doesn't look like it could scare anything--except for maybe a sweat bee or hover fly.
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