Bug Squad

"Almonds are one of the first crops of the season that need bee pollination," tweeted the Almond Board of California yesterday. Valentine's Day traditionally marks the beginning of almond pollination season, but it's an early spring. The almonds are blooming and the bees are buzzing.

Biodiversity--that's what it's at on Sunday, Feb. 12 at the University of California, Davis. That's when four museums or centers that engage in education and research involving insects, vertebrates or plants will host open houses. And folks will be amazed, officials promise.

A sure sign that winter is nearly over: when the flowering quince bursts into bloom, attracting a flotilla of foraging honey bees. Actually, the bees began "inspecting" the flowering quince in the bud stage. "Hurry, open up!" the bees seemed to urge. "We have to start feeding our colonies.

What do butterflies tell us about tropical diversity? Take it from an expert. Tropical ecologist Philip DeVries of the Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Orleans, will discuss the topic at his lecture on Thursday, Feb. 9 at the University of California, Davis.

In a pre-Valentine's Day event, officials at the Bohart Museum of Entomology at the University of California, Davis, are planning a Bug Lovin' theme for their next open house. It will be a lovefest of bugs! The event, free and open to the public, will take place from 1 to 4 p.m., Sunday, Feb.