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.

The 13 Bugs of Christmas

December 17, 2010

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

Forget "The 12 Days of Christmas." It's "The 13 Bugs of Christmas." The UC Davis Department of Entomology came up with a song at its annual holiday party that drew roaring applause--and attention to bugs that either please or plague people.

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HOVER FLY working a flower in the Haagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven at the University of California, Davis. The larvae of hover flies are voracious aphid eaters. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Why Organic Farmers Love Hover Flies

December 16, 2010

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

If you were an aphid on a head of lettuce, a hoverfly larva would be a nightmare. They are voracious eaters of aphids. One larva per plant will control the aphids. That's what organic researcher Eric Brennan of the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), U.S.

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HONEY BEE gathers nectar from the mint bush sage at the Haagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven at UC Davis. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Like Peppermint Candy

December 15, 2010

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

It's almost like peppermint candy. The red and white blossoms that grace the mint bush sage (Salvia microhylla) draw their share of bees. It's a late bloomer in the Hagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven at the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility, University of California, Davis.

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'QUEEN BEE' is a paper sculpture by talented artist Marilyn Judson of Davis. This is a three-dimensional art piece now on display in the Pence Gallery, Davis. The background of this photo was darkened in Photoshop for contrast purposes.(Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

This Queen Bee Is White

December 14, 2010

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

It's a stunning piece of work. It's a three-dimensional paper sculpture of a queen bee. Noted artist Marilyn Judson (right) of Davis created the paper sculpture (below) now on display in the "Sticky Business: Art of the Honey Bee" show that runs through Dec. 23 at the Pence Gallery, 212 D St.

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NORMAN GARY combines two occupations: bees and music. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The Bee Man

December 13, 2010

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

It's a honey of a book. Honey bee expert Norman Gary, emeritus professor of apiculture at the University of California, Davis, is the author of a newly published book on beginning beekeeping titled Honey Bee Hobbyist: The Care and Keeping of Bees.

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