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.

A jumping spider perched on a rose leaf. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Bug Safari!

April 12, 2012

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

They're there. If you walk slowly into your garden or backyard, and observe your surroundings, you'll find them. A jumping spider perched on a rose leaf. A soldier beetle climbing out of a tulip. A syrphid fly, aka flower fly or hover fly, foraging on a poppy blossom.

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Honey bee collecting pollen on an African daisy. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Pollen Power

April 11, 2012

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

You've heard of "Got milk?" With honey bees, it's "Got pollen?" We spotted a lone honey bee on an African daisy last weekend. It was clear she'd been foraging for pollen. Pollen covered her legs and antennae and rimmed her head. And it was clear where it came from.

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Maggot Art involves maggots dipped into and non-toxic, water-based paints. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Maggots and Termites and Cockroaches, Oh My!

April 10, 2012

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

Maggots and termites and cockroaches, oh my! And ants, honey bees, bumble bees, beetles, and skeeters, oh yes! Don't see "Ewww!" Say "Wow!" Those are just a few of the bugs that will be part of the UC Davis Department of Entomology's activities during the 98th annual campuswide UC Davis Picnic Day o...

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Two male carpenter bees, Xylocopa tabaniformis orpifex, with a female on salvia. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Love at First Flight

April 9, 2012

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

Spring has definitely sprung. The carpenter bees (Xylocopa tabaniformis orpifex) of the Central Valley have emerged and are creating their own little Lovers' Lane on the salvia. More males than females. More buzzing than foraging. More chasing than capturing.

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Drenched honey bee gets ready to sip honey from a plastic spoon. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey

Rescue 911

April 6, 2012

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

Okay, Ill admit it. I have a soft spot for honey bees. Today I fished out some thoroughly drenched honey bees from our swimming pool. Indeed, the pool looked like an Olympic meet for Apis mellifera.

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