Bug Squad

One left hungry. One didn't. We watched a leafcutter bee (genus Megachile) foraging on a gold coin flower (Asteriscus maritimus 'Gold Coin') yesterday when suddenly danger lurked. A jumping spider peered over the petals, its legs (aka "claws") extended in anticipation, the mark of a good hunter.

It's showtime! The Gulf Fritillary butterfly is one of the showiest butterflies in California, says butterfly guru Art Shapiro, professor of evolution and ecology at UC Davis. Indeed it is. The bright orange-red butterfly with a wingspan that can reach four inches visited our back yard yesterday.

"Just how long is that newly discovered species of wasp?" the reporter asked. "Are you sure the male is not 2-1/2 centimeters instead of 2-1/2 inches?" News media, the scientific world, and the general public can't believe it. Yes, the male "warrior wasp" is 2-1/2 inches, not centimeters.

Frank Zalom is an entomologist's entomologist. He's right at home whether he's in the strawberry fields, almond orchards, vineyards, classroom, lab, or "leading the troops"--whether they be students, graduate students, researchers, fellow colleagues or the general public.

The last time we encountered a praying mantis it was waiting for prey on a plant by the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility at UC Davis. Then we saw two more that day in front of the Laidlaw facility. They jumped on us while we were watching the first one.