Bug Squad

Ants are such tiny critters. But they're much more than that. Much more. Ant specialist Brian Fisher, an entomologist with the California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, describes ants as "industrious, tenacious workers who live in colonies and obey a hierarchy of rulers.

You want to know why flies are fantastic? They are, you know. Just ask Martin Hauser of the Plant Pest Diagnostics Branch, California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). He'll discuss "Why Flies Are Fantastic" at the Northern California Entomology Society meeting, set from 9:15 to 3 p.m.

Have you ever looked closely at a fiery skipper (Hylephila phyleus) and seen its proboscis, aka tongue or feeding tube? If you stay still and don't shadow it while it's nectaring, you'll see the proboscis darting in an out of a blossom.

Wear your favorite insect costume. Show off your insect tattoo. When the Bohart Museum of Entomology at UC Davis hosts its pre-Halloween open house from 1 to 4 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 30, it promises to be a "blood-suckin' good time." And it's free and open to the public.

When the Bohart Museum Society throws a Halloween party, you can bet bugs will be there. In costume.