Bug Squad

A golden bee on golden mustard. What could represent spring in California more than that? Well, besides the just-ended almond pollination season. Bee breeder-geneticist Susan Cobey, manager of the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr.

It wouldn't dare rain on Susan Cobey's queen bee-rearing classes. And it didn't today. Well, a little sprinkle, but that was it. Bee breeder-geneticist Susan Cobey, manager of the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr.

It probably wasn't colony collapse disorder. Probably not pesticides, a disease, malnutrition or stress, either. It could have been a pest.

If spring has sprung--and it has--it's also time to spring forward the next batch of noonhour seminars at the UC Davis Department of Entomology. The spring lectures are held every Wednesday, March 31 through May 26, from 12:10 to 1 p.m., in 122 Briggs Hall, Kleiber Drive.

"I'm a ladybug. Please, take me home. I want to live in your garden. I like to eat aphids. Aphids are tiny green insects that are harmful to plants." "Just like the Grange, I'm a friend to the farmer and you.