Bug Squad

A daily (M-F) blog launched Aug. 6, 2008 and about the wonderful world of insects and those who study them. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
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LADYBUG STAGES--These photos were taken Jan. 19 in Fairfield, Solano County, California. (Photos by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Bug Squad: Article

Ladybugs Are Out

January 21, 2009
Yes, they are. The ladybugs are out, at least in some parts of Northern California. We received an email last week from a professional wildlife photographer from Germany who wants to film hibernating ladybugs in February. He's on a magazine assignment.
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CABBAGE WHITE BUTTERFLY--This is a Pieris rapae similar to what UC Davis professor Art Shapiro found Jan. 20. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
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He Did It!

January 20, 2009
He did it. I knew he would Hardly anyone can beat University of California, Davis professor Arthur Shapiro in finding the first cabbage white butterfly of the year. For the past 38 years, he's been hosting a "Beer-for-Butterfly" contest.
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HERE'S LOOKING AT YOU--A praying mantis shows no fear. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
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On Your Knees!

January 19, 2009
The praying mantis glared at me. It was not afraid of me, my camera, or my jockeying around to get a better position. When I captured the image (below) last fall in a neighbor's garden, I decided that in 2009, I would get my very own praying mantis. Or maybe dozens of them.
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TEAM B.E.E.S.--These high school students from Allendale, N.J., are learning to be beekeepers and are educating the public about the importance of bees. From left are Camila Robbins, Bryan DiBlasi, Malith Waharaka, Colin Bassett, and Manny Gonzalez. However, Allendale prohibits backyard beekeeping. They're lobbying to change the ordinance.
Bug Squad: Article

What Would We Do Without the Bees?

January 16, 2009
Dianne DiBlasi is frustrated. Shes the advisor of Team B.E.E.S. (Bergen Environmental Effort to Save Bees), a group of six high school students in Allendale, N.J. involved in a honey bee project.
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BEE CRUSADER--Katie Brown, 6, of Phoenix, Ariz., loves bees and just donated $20 from her allowance savings to the UC Davis honey bee research program.
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Our Young Bee Crusaders

January 15, 2009
Dear Bee Scientists, wrote 6-year-old Katie Brown of Phoenix, Ariz. I am giving this money to you so you can help the bees. I love the bees. She enclosed $20 from her allowance savings. Hannah Fisher Gray, 11, of Wilmington, Del.
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