Bug Squad

A daily (M-F) blog launched Aug. 6, 2008 and about the wonderful world of insects and those who study them. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
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robdunn

Lessons from the Ants

December 27, 2010
We can learn from the ants. Indeed, we can take lessons from the ants, according to ecologist Rob Dunn (right), assistant professor in the Department of Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh.
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RED ORNAMENT? No, a ladybug, aka ladybird beetle or lady beetle, on Artemisia, a genus belonging to the daisy family, Asteraceae. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Spotted Ornaments

December 24, 2010
Red ornaments on a Christmas tree? No, ladybugs (aka ladybird beetles or lady beetles) on Artemisia. Ladybugs are overwintering on our Artemisia (genus belonging to the daisy family, Asteracease). When the rains come, the drops bubble up on the plants and the ladybugs alike.
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VARROA MITE on drone pupa at the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility, University of California, Davis. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Fighting the Mite

December 23, 2010
There's joy on the horizon for beekeepers battling that pesky Varroa mite. They may soon have a "fool-proof" method to silence the parasite, considered the honey bee's worst enemy.
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THESE DYING WALNUT TREES in Davis, Calif., are victims of thousand cankers disease. (Photo by Steve Seybold)

A Thousand Questions about TCD

December 22, 2010
Researchers have a thousand questions about thousand cankers disease (TCD), the newly discovered disease that kills black walnut trees. Chemical ecologist and forest entomologist of Steve Seybold of the USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station, Davis, Calif.
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NEWLY INDUCTED FELLOW Bruce Hammock (right), distinguished professor of entomology at the University of California, Davis, with ESA president Dave Hogg of the University of Wisconsin. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Our Newest ESA Fellows

December 21, 2010
Three University of California entomology professors were among the 10 newly elected Fellows of the Entomological Society of America (ESA) honored at the organization's 58th annual meeting, held Dec. 12-15 in San Diego. Their selection speaks highly of the caliber of UC professors.
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