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.

Syrphid fly (female Sphaerophoria), as identified by senior insect biosystematist Martin Hauser of the CDFA. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Gavrey)

The Girl and the Bubble

August 20, 2012

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

Ah, the little intricacies of life... We were walking along a stretch of the coastal town of Bodega Bay when we spotted something we'd never seen before: a bubble on a syrphid fly. Syrphid flies, also known as hover flies or flower flies, are pollinators, just like honey bees.

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This bee condo, meant for blue orchard bees, is attracting a European wool carder bee, Anthidium manicatum. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A Hole for One

August 17, 2012

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

During the day, European wool carder bees (so named because the females collect or "card" plant fuzz for their nests) forage on our catmint and lamb's ear. These bees, Anthidium manicatum, are about the size of a honey bee, but with striking yellow and black markings.

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Extension apiculturist Eric Mussen talks to a tour group at the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility, UC Davis. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

All About Honey Bees

August 16, 2012

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

To commemorate National Honey Bee Day, Jefferson Exchange host Geoffrey Riley of Jefferson Public Radio, Southern Oregon University, recently booked a trio of experts to talk about honey bees. The broadcast, aired Aug.

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Honey bee heading toward tower of jewels (Echium wildpretii). (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The Bounty of Pollination

August 15, 2012

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

If you want to learn more about honey bees and other pollinators, then The Bounty of Pollination: More Than Just Honey is the place to bee on Saturday, Oct 27 at the Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science (RMI), University of California, Davis.

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Katydid climbing a wall. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The Sounds of Katydids

August 14, 2012

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

Ever heard the sound of katydids? The meadow katydids, the true katydids, the round-headed katydids, the bush katydids and the shiedback katydids? They're all there, in all their glory. Entomologist/educator/author/lecturer/photographer/broadcaster Art Evans of Richmond, Va.

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