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.

Yellow-faced bumble bee (Bombus vosnesenskii) foraging on the Pride of Maderia at Bodega Bay on Feb. 27. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Bumble Bees Are Back!

March 1, 2012

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

The yellow-faced bumble bees are back! And amid the throes of winter and the promise of spring. On a trip Feb. 27 to Bodega Bay, we spotted two yellow-faced bumble bees (Bombus vosnesenskii) about two miles apart.

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Honey bee working an almond blossom on the grounds of the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility at UC Davis. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

How Many Hives for Almond Pollination?

February 29, 2012

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

We've been watching the almonds budding and blossoming since late January. They're in full bloom now, but a little ragged by the recent rain. California has some 750,000 acres of almonds, and it takes two hives per acre to pollinate them.

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Where's the walking stick? It's the top "twig" in the background. This is a female. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A Case of Identity Theft

February 28, 2012

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

Just call it a case of identity theft at the Bohart Museum of Entomology. But wait! Before you ask "Is everything okay?" and suggest contacting law enforcement immediately, not to worry. This is a different case of identity theft. Insects! Camouflaged insects! Take the walking stick.

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Blow fly on a New Zealand tea tree (Leptospermum scoparium). (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Pollinator!

February 27, 2012

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

When you see the blow fly (below), what do you think? Well, that depends on who you are and what you do--or maybe your earliest negative/positive insect recollections.

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Asian citrus psyllid is an invasive pest. (Photo by M. E. Rogers, University of Florida)

The Threat of Invasive Species

February 24, 2012

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

The public, says entomologist Kris Godfrey, needs to become more aware of the threat of invasive species. And, she adds, we need to educate people and organizations about the incoming pests and pests that are already here.

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