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.

A SOLITARY HONEY BEE forages among the Christmas Cheer, also known as Knipofia "Christmas Cheer' or "red-hot poker." (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Good Dose of Christmas Cheer

December 25, 2009

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

Definitely a good dose of Christmas Cheer! In the plant world, that would be the Kniphofia Christmas Cheer," also known as "red-hot poker." On a visit last week to the Storer Garden, UC Davis Arboretum, we encountered a lone honey bee foraging among the Christmas Cheer.

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BOXELDER BUG likes to overwinter in homes and garages. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Not a Creature Was Stirring?

December 24, 2009

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

'Twas the night before Christmas When all through the house Not a creature was stirring Not even a mouse... --'Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore (1779-1863) No, but maybe a boxelder bug (Boisea trivittatus).

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BEEKEEPING INDUSTRY is grateful to the Rev. Lorenzo Langstroth for inventing the moveable frame honey bee hive. These hives are at the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility at the University of California, Davis. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

We Owe L. L. Langstroth

December 23, 2009

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

When the U.S. Postal Service Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee meets in January 2010, let's hope the group supports the proposal for a Lorenzo Langstroth commemorative stamp. The Rev.

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HONEY BEE cleaning her tongue was one of the images accepted in the international juried show, Insect Salon, affiliated with the Entomological Society of America. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Posing Prettily--and Not So Prettily

December 22, 2009

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

Every year the Entomological Society of America (ESA) invites its members and other interested persons to enter the Insect Salon juried photo competition. It's a highly competitive event, drawing photographs from around the world. The non-profit Peoria (Ill.) Camera Club coordinates it.

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THIS SIGN at the entrance to the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey bee Research Facility is the work of Davis artist Donna Billick. The hole in the skep leads to a bee hive attached to the back of the sign. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Guarding the Turf

December 21, 2009

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

If you look closely at the colorful ceramic sign at the Harry H.Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility on Bee Biology Road, University of California, Davis, you'll see an entrance to a bee hive. Entrance? Right. There's a hole in the skep, which tunnels to a hive in back of the sign.

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