Bug Squad

Look closely at a patch of California golden poppies and you may see a sweat bee (genus Halictus) collecting gold pollen. The pollen basket is on the hind legs but you'll see "gold" also dusting the head and abdomen. Native bee, commonly known as "halictid bee." Native plant.

You usually see Tabatha Yang, education and outreach coordinator of the Bohart Museum of Entomology, UC Davis Department of Entomology, in the insect museum, answering questions, guiding tours, or doing outreach at schools, festivals, fairs, open houses and other special events.

Despite the weather forecast of heavy rain and wind, honey bees will still be "attending" the California Honey Festival. They'll be safe and dry in the bee observation hives. The free and family friendly event, co-sponsored by the University of California, Davis, takes place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Don't miss the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology seminar by Clement Chow on Monday, May 6. It will open your eyes about fruit flies, rare diseases, and the progress underway.

The California dogface butterfly stole the show at the Bohart Museum of Entomology pop-up tent at Briggs Hall during the 110th annual UC Davis Picnic Day.