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. Feedspot lists it as one of the top entomology blogs on the Internet.

Black-faced bumble bee "posing" on grey musk sage. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Tracking a Black-Faced Bumble Bee

July 22, 2011

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

Every once in a while you see it. And it's a real treat--especially when it's a bee garden that's synonomous with treat. We tracked the black-faced bumble bee (Bombus californicus) in the Hagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven, a half-acre bee friendly demonstration garden at the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr.

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Flame skimmer perched on a bamboo stake. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

How to Tame Your Dragonfly

July 21, 2011

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

For at least three days, he visited our yard. He swooped over our fish pond and swimming pool and returned each time to perch on a tomato stake in the vegetable garden. We nicknamed him "Big Red." Big Red? Actually, a flame skimmer dragonfly (Libellula saturata), native to western North America.

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Monarch butterfly cutout in front of the Insect Pavilion at the Caifornia State Fair. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Bugs Rule at the California State Fair

July 20, 2011

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

If you head over to the California State Fair, which opened July 14 and continues through July 31, be sure to check out the Insect Pavilion at "The Farm." It's a treasure house of not only insects, but spiders and assorted other critters.

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Damselfly's compound eyes don't miss much. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Blue Dancers

July 19, 2011

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

Blue damselflies should be on "Dancing with Stars." Because, in many respects, they ARE the stars--the stars of the insect world. They're slender, delicate and beautiful dancers that look like blue-stick diamonds.

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Spotted cucumber beetle sharing a sunflower with two honey bees. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Two's Company, Three's a Crowd

July 18, 2011

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

Two's company, three's a crowd? Yes, when a spotted cucumber beetle tries to share a sunflower with two honey bees. That was the scene Sunday in a sunflower field along Pedrick Road, Dixon, Solano County. The spotted cucumber beetle is a pest. Honey bees are beneficial.

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