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.

CHEMICAL ECOLOGISTS Walter Leal (foreground) and Zain Syed at work in the Leal lab in the UC Davis Department of Entomology. Leal is a professor and former chair of the department, and Syed is a postdoctoral researcher and the primary author of a paper published March 16 in PLoS One. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

On the Trail of a Better Insect Repellent

March 16, 2011

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

Researchers in the Walter Leal lab, UC Davis Department of Entomology, are engaging in some exciting research. They just discovered a "generic insect repellent detector" in the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster)--research published today (March 16) in PloS One (Public Library of Science).

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FRANK ZALOM, integrated pest management specialist and professor and former vice chair of the UC Davis Department of Entomology, is the 2011 recipient of the C. W. Woodworth Award. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Our IPM Specialist

March 15, 2011

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

Congratulations to integrated pest management specialist Frank Zalom, professor and former vice chair of the UC Davis Department of Entomology. He's just been named the recipient of the C. W. Woodworth Award, the highest award bestowed by the Pacific Branch of the Entomological Society of America.

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HONEY BEE heads for the highest blossoms in a UC Davis peach orchard. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Peachy Keen

March 14, 2011

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

California peach blossoms are peachy keen. Especially when honey bees are foraging. The pink pastel blossoms, powder blue sky, and golden honey bees...yes, California peach orchards are blooming.

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HONEY BEE from the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility, UC Davis, heads toward a plum blossom in the Haagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven, a half-acre bee friendly garden on Bee Biology Road. The garden is open dawn to dusk at no charge. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A Plum Assignment

March 11, 2011

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

When something is a "plum," it's something desirable, whether it be a "plum" position, a "plum" assignment or a "plum" reward. With honey bees, a bee on a plum blossom is definitely a plum job. The honey bees foraging today in the Hagen-Dazss Honey Bee Haven at Harry H. Laidlaw Jr.

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HALL OF FAME--Michael Parrella (right), professor and chair of the UC Davis Department of Entomology, was inducted into the California Floriculture Hall of Fame on Feb. 25 in San Diego. With him is presenter Mike Mellano Sr., of Mellano & Company, Oceanside. Mellano was inducted into the Floriculture Hall of Fame in 1990. (Photo Courtesy of Debi Aker)

Saying It With Flowers

March 10, 2011

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

It's indeed an honor--a sweet one. Michael Parrella, professor and chair of the UC Davis Department of Entomology, was recently inducted into the California Floriculture Hall of Fame at a ceremony in San Diego. Mike Mellano Sr., of Mellano & Company, Oceanside, presented Parrella with the plaque.

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