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.

THIS NATIVE POLLINATOR is a female sweat bee (Halictus tripartitus), so nicknamed because it is attracted to sweat. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Wild Bees: Alternative Pollinators

March 24, 2009

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

Scientists have long been studying alternative pollinators, especially with the decline of the honey bee population and growing concerns about "How will we pollinate our crops?

View Article

THE VISITOR--A honey bee gathers nectar on salvia (sage), a popular plant in bee friendly gardens. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The Buzz in Berkeley

March 23, 2009

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

An article in today's San Francisco Chronicle indicated that the Berkeley City Council is "poised to transform all the city's parks and open spaces into habitats for bees." That's the kind of news we need more of, more often.

View Article

CLOSE--A beekeeper smokes a hive at Olivarez Honey Bees, Inc. in Orland. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A Matter of Perspective

March 20, 2009

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

To really know the honey bee industry, visit an apiary or bee yard. From a distance, you'll see a beekeeper working the hives. Look closer, and you'll see bees landing on visitors. Look even closer, and you'll see an individual bee going about her work.

View Article

SOAPBERRY BUG crawls along an almond tree branch at the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility at UC Davis. The almond tree will be part of the Haagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Biodiversity in the Honey Bee Haven

March 19, 2009

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

When the half-acre Hagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven is implemented by the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility at UC Davis later this year, honey bees won't be the only ones enjoying the garden. Expect to see butterflies, bumblebees and other insects.

View Article

BEE BREEDER-GENETICIST Susan Cobey (center, with frame) manager of the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility teaches a class on the "Art of Queen Bee Rearing." Here she transfers bees. This photo shows an estimated 250,000 bees. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The Buzz

March 18, 2009

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

Let me tell you 'bout the birds and the bees And the flowers and the trees... The Birds and the Bees (music and lyrics by Herb Newman) Don't know about "the birds and the flowers and the trees," but the bees were definitely there. Lots of bees. More than 250,000.

View Article