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.

PAINTED LADIES are now passing through north-central California. This one passed through during the 2005 migration. (Photo courtesy of Arthur Shapiro)

Painted Ladies Are Back

March 31, 2009

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

The painted ladies are back. No, not the Victorian and Edwardian homes painted in three colors. No, not women wearing excessive amounts of makeup and pounding the sidewalk with their stiletto heels. These are BUTTERFLIES.

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ON CAMERA--Joe Wolohan films Lynn Kimsey at the Bohart Museum of Entomology for Animal Witness. The filming took place July 17, 2008. The documentary will air April 6 and again on April 10 on Animal Witness, part of Animal Planet. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Bugs in My Alibi

March 30, 2009

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

Remember the landmark "insects-on-the-radiator" trial that led to a murder conviction? Animal Witness, part of Animal Planet, will soon be showcasing the work that UC Davis insect identification expert Lynn Kimsey did as an expert witness in the trial.

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OUTSTANDING TEACHER--Andrea Lucky, doctoral candidate, UC Davis Department of Entomology, has been named recipient of an Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Excellence in Lab, Field and Classroom

March 27, 2009

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

Today we salute Andrea Lucky. To be perfectly frank, anyone who takes a class from her is a lucky person indeed. For excellence in teaching in the lab, field and classroom, UC Davis entomology doctoral candidate Andrea Lucky has won a 2009 UC Davis Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award.

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HONEY BEE nectars a sunflower at the 2008 California State Fair, Sacramento. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Sunny Days Ahead

March 26, 2009

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

The Berkeley City Council did the right thing. The council members voted this week to landscape city parks and open spaces with pollinator-friendly plants. The plan: to provide a friendly habitat and food source for pollinators, especially honey bees.

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PEST MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST Charles Summers, stationed at the UC Kearney Agricultural Center, is the recipient of the 2009 Charles Woodworth Award from the Pacific Branch, Entomological Society of America. Here he works with reflective mulches. (Photo by Edwin Remsberg, USDA)

Charlie Summers: Outstanding in His Field

March 25, 2009

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

Charles "Charlie" Summers is outstanding in his field. And come Monday, March 30, the Pacific Branch of the Entomological Society of America will honor the University of California entomologist whose career spans 39 years in the pest management of field and vegetable crops.

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