Bug Squad

We usually see praying mantids, aka praying mantises, camouflaged in foliage and lying in wait to ambush prey. But have you ever seen them frying flies over a kitchen stove? You will when you take a look at an Oklahoma photographer's work.

Most people have never served 38 consecutive years on an executive board that looks out for the health and welfare of two million people. But then again medical entomologist Robert Washino isn't most people.

So you're thinking you're putting on a little weight during the holidays. Not to worry. Put it all in perspective by thinking about the larvae of the honey bee.

What do flies have in common with us? For one thing, an innate immune system mechanism to detect and fight off invaders that threaten our health. Four scientists, including two Nobel Laureates, will discuss host defense at a UC Davis symposium on Wednesday, Jan. 25 in the UC Davis Conference Center.

The parasitic fly (family Tachinidae) never had a chance. It went from floral visitor to spider prey to spider dinner when it made a single solitary mistake: it inadvertently fell into a sticky web.