Bug Squad

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.

Well, hello there! A praying mantis, perfectly camouflaged in bushes outside the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility at the University of California, Davis, was searching for prey when we spotted it.

It's all about the bees. And the other pollinators. And the plants. We were glad to see that Melissa "Missy" Borel, program manager of the California Center for Urban Horticulture at UC Davis, recently received a much deserved honor for her work in making the Hagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven a reality.

Sometimes you can't get within 20 feet of a Western tiger swallowtail butterfly (Papillo rutulus). Sometimes it's a matter of inches.