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.

Honey bee foraging on lavender. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

'P' Is for Pollinators

January 26, 2012

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

It's good to see the growing number of seminars, lectures and workshops on pollinators. The more we know about our pollinators, the better we'll be able to protect and sustain them.

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Female sweat bee in the genus Lasioglossum, on a rock purslane. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

What Governs the Quality of Pollen?

January 25, 2012

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

If you're interested in pollen and pollinators, you'll want to attend the UC Davis Department of Entomology seminar at 12:10 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 1 in 122 Briggs Hall.

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European paper wasp (Polistes dominulus. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

How Wasps Select Their Mates

January 24, 2012

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

If you've been lying awake at night wondering how European paper wasps select their mates--or if you're just naturally curious--you'll want to attend Amanda "Mandy" Izzo's seminar at 12:10 p.m.., Friday, Jan. 27 in 6 Olson Hall, UC Davis.

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Pollination ecologist Neal Williams, assistant professor of entomology at UC Davis, will be one of the featured speakers at the International Symposium on Pollinator Conservation. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The Pollinator Punch at the International Level

January 23, 2012

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

It's off to Japan to talk about bumble bees and other pollinators. Pollination ecologist Neal Williams, assistant professor of entomology at UC Davis, will be one of the featured speakers at the International Symposium on Pollinator Conservation, to be held Jan. 27-29 in Fukuoka, Japan.

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Newly elected president of the Nor-Cal Entomology Society is Robert "Bob" Case of Concord. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Bugs for All, All for Bugs

January 20, 2012

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

No matter what insect you're interested in, you can usually find your favorite topic at one of the Northern California Entomology Society meetings. The group meets three times a year: once in Sacramento, once at UC Davis and once at Concord. Dues? $10 a year.

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