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.

Honey bee heading for blue lupine. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Wild Blue Yonder

June 19, 2012

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

Sometimes you see honey bees "making a beeline." Such was the case when this honey bee (below) encountered a native wildflower, blue lupine (Lupinus). Lupines are known more as pollen plants than nectar plants, according to Frank Pellett's book, American Honey Plants, a Dadant publication.

View Article

Italian honey bee heading toward lavender. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Off to Italy on a Very Important Mission

June 18, 2012

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

It won't be lock, stock and barrel, but it will be stock. A team of scientists from UC Davis and Washington State University will be heading for Italy tomorrow (June 19) to gather germplasm (sperm) of Old World/Italian honey bee stock.

View Article

ORNAMENTAL--A bumble bee visiting a rock purslane. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Applause for the Pollinators

June 15, 2012

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

Let's have a pause--and applause--for the pollinators. Next week, June 18-24, is National Pollinator Week, as designated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

View Article

FIRST PHOTO--When honey bees sting, it's usually a clean break. Extension apiculturist Eric Mussen getting stung. (Copyrighted, All Rights Reserved, Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The Sting

June 14, 2012

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

I've been asked how I did it. How did I manage to capture that rare image of a honey bee sting that won the feature photo award presented June 11 by the international Association for Communication Excellence (ACE)? The bee is tugging a long strand of abdominal tissue as it tries to pull away.

View Article

Yellow-faced bumble bee nectaring lavender. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Saving the Bumble Bees

June 13, 2012

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

It's sad to see and say, but like honey bees, the bumble bee population is declining, and that decline is alarming. Public awareness can help turn this around. That's why we're glad to see that the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, based in Portland, Ore.

View Article