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Bug Squad

Bug Squad blog image depicts a honey bee sting in action.

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. 

THIS HOODED PRAYING MANTIS, a baby, is a new resident of the Bohart Museum of Entomology. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Hoodie

April 9, 2009
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
A baby hooded praying mantis is among the new residents of the Bohart Museum of Entomology, 1124 Academc Surge, on the UC Davis campus. It's a Rhombodera basalis or Giant Malayasian Shield Mantis and is a gift from a teacher in Elk Grove.
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MAGGOT ART will be offered at the UC Davis Picnic Day for the seventh consecutive year. It's about dipping a maggot in non-toxic, water-based paint and letting it crawl across white paper. Maggot Art was coined by forensic entomologist Rebecca O'Flaherty, who is seeking her doctorate at UC Davis.(Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

You're Painting with What?

April 8, 2009
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
If you want to create art that's bound to be a conversation piece, you need to head over to Briggs Hall at the University of California, Davis on Saturday, April 18.
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CARPENTER BEE investigates a Bird's Eye blossom (Gilia tricolor) on the UC Davis campus. Pit stop for nectar! (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Easter Bonnet

April 7, 2009
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
Irving Berlin wasn't writing about carpenter bees when he penned "Easter Bonnet": In your Easter bonnet, with all the frills upon it You'll be the grandest lady in the Easter parade I'll be all in clover and when they look you over I'll be the proudest fellow in the Easter parade However, if you wat...
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THE BEE MAN, aka Eric Mussen, Cooperative Extension apiculturist and faculty member at UC Davis, talks to Fox 40 reporter Darsha Philips (center) and cameraman Andrew Faulk. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Lavishing the Lavender

April 6, 2009
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
If you built it (a field of dreams), they will come. And if you bring flowers, that's all the bettter.
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