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.

A honey bee foraging on flowering quince, a member of the rose family. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Flowering Quince: A Sure Sign of Spring

January 14, 2025

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

Spring won't arrive until March 19, but don't tell that to the honey bees foraging on the flowering quince. Flowering quince, an early spring bloomer, is blooming here now.

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The UC Davis Biodiversity Museum Day scientists and volunteers will be wearing purple T-shirts that feature the nine museums or collections.

Feb. 8 is UC Davis Biodiversity Museum Day: A Super Science Day

January 13, 2025

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

Have you ever wished that you and your family and friends could visit the UC Davis campus and chat with the scientists about their research and see their work? You can. The 14th annual UC Davis Biodiversity Museum Day, also known as "Super Science Day," is set for Saturday, Feb. 8.

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Maggot art in the making. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Ready for Maggot Art at the Bohart Museum of Entomology Open House?

January 10, 2025

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

Children's faces light up when they create maggot art. This is how they do it: They pick up a maggot with feather-tip forceps; dip it into a non-toxic, water-based paint; and guide it--or let it crawl-- on a piece of paper. Voila! Maggot art.

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Patrick Hardy, executive director of the Bee Platoon

Los Angeles Fire Disaster: 'Bee Platoon' to Help the Beekeepers and the Bees

January 9, 2025

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

First responders are fiercely battling five raging wildfires in Los Angeles County, wildfires fueled by dry conditions and the hurricane-force Santa Ana winds. The most extensive: the Palisades Fire. The toll, as of tonight (Jan.

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UC Davis entomology major Kaitai Liu chats with budding entomologist Eden Jett of Berkeley as she holds a walking stick. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Bohart Museum Welcomes You to Next Open House

January 8, 2025

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

You can meet the scientists, examine the collections, look through microscopes, hold walking sticks, and participate in a family arts-and-crafts activity. Those are some of the activities planned at the Bohart Museum of Entomology open house on Saturday, Jan. 11 from 1 to 4 p.m.

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