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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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Gulf Fritillary, Agraulis vanillae, casts a shadow. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Casting a Long Shadow

November 13, 2012
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
We probably won't see the Gulf Fritilliary (Agraulis vanillae) laying eggs any more this year on our passion flower vine. Cool weather has set in, the rains are coming, and the butterfly season is ending. But just for a little while, the Gulf Frit obliged us with its shadow.
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Pregnant praying mantis camouflaged on a germander twig. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Just Waiting in the Germander

November 12, 2012
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
It's no secret that bees are fond of germanders or Teucrium, a genus in the mint family, Lamiaceae. And it's no secret that praying mantids are fond of bees.
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Bee scientist Brian Johnson of the UC Davis Department of Entomology in front of an observation hive. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A Gathering of Beekeepers

November 9, 2012
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
It will be a gathering of beekeepers next week in California. And it promises to be informative, educational and inspiring.
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They did it! From left are Andrew Richards, Ivana Li and Matan Shelomi. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

What They Did Is Amazing!

November 8, 2012
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
If you like Pokmon, you know the insect connection. Satoshi Tajiri of Japan, who developed Pokmon, collected insects in his childhood and initially toyed with the idea of becoming an entomologist.
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Seven-spotted lady beetle on a California fuchsia. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Walking the Line

November 7, 2012
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
Some folks like to watch the grass grow, flowers bloom, or clouds drift. Others just like to sit back and look for insects.
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