Bug Squad

If you're interested in pollen and pollinators, you'll want to attend the UC Davis Department of Entomology seminar at 12:10 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 1 in 122 Briggs Hall.

If you've been lying awake at night wondering how European paper wasps select their mates--or if you're just naturally curious--you'll want to attend Amanda "Mandy" Izzo's seminar at 12:10 p.m.., Friday, Jan. 27 in 6 Olson Hall, UC Davis.

It's off to Japan to talk about bumble bees and other pollinators. Pollination ecologist Neal Williams, assistant professor of entomology at UC Davis, will be one of the featured speakers at the International Symposium on Pollinator Conservation, to be held Jan. 27-29 in Fukuoka, Japan.

No matter what insect you're interested in, you can usually find your favorite topic at one of the Northern California Entomology Society meetings. The group meets three times a year: once in Sacramento, once at UC Davis and once at Concord. Dues? $10 a year.

When you try to attract leafcutting bees (Megachile spp.) to your bee condos, you may also attract something else. Wasps. Bee condos (wood blocks drilled with holes for native bee nests) are a favorite of gardeners and bee enthusiasts.