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.

UC Davis forensic entomologist Robert Kimsey on "The Rock." (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The Fly Man of Alcatraz

May 4, 2011

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

Forensic entomologist Robert Kimsey of the UC Davis Department of Entomology is known as "The Fly Man of Alcatraz." When he's not teaching classes, advising students and graduate students, or heading out on homicide cases, you can usually find him on "The Rock"--researching flies.

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Bee observation hive shows a queen and her court. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey

'Going Buggy' at the Fair

May 3, 2011

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

County fairs are known for cotton candy, corn dogs and cool treats. But some--such as the 136th annual Dixon May Fair in Solano County--have bugs! When the fair opens Wednesday, May 4 at 655 S. First St., the Floriculture Building will house gorgeous flowers...and gorgeous bugs. The Harry H.

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Soldier beetle (family Cantharidae) runs out of room. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

End of the Line

May 2, 2011

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

Gotta love those solider beetles (family Cantharidae). When an army of soldier beetles goes on patrol in your garden, just thank them. These "leatherwings" are there to mete out justice to the plant-sucking aphids and other undesirable critters. Aphids are high on their menu preferences.

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Lygus bug (Lygus herperus) could be one of the insects studied in the honors program. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Because They Care

April 29, 2011

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

It's not just future entomologists who study insects. So do future physicians, veterinarians, chemists, ecologists and scores of others.

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Honey bee and male carpenter bee (Xylocopa varipuncta) on tower of jewels (Echium wildpretii). (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Just Wanna Be Your Teddy Bear...

April 28, 2011

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

"Just wanna be your teddy bear..." When Elvis Presley sang that, his fans swooned. Well, there are bee fans that can't get enough of the "teddy bear" bee, aka the male Valley carpenter bee (Xylocopa varipuncta). It's often called a "golden bumble bee." Golden, it is. Bumble bee, it is not.

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