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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. 

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Bruce Hammock Memorial

All Systems Are 'Go' For Bruce Hammock Memorial

October 9, 2026
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
 All systems are "go" for the "Celebration of the Life and Legacy of Bruce Hammock." It's scheduled for 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 10 in the California Hall, UC Davis campus.There will be tears, laughter, and a room filled with cherished memories of the legendary UC Davis Distinguished Professor Bruce…
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A monarch caterpillar. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

'Life Is Full of Surprises'--Bruce Hammock

October 8, 2026
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
 It all began when UC Davis Distinguished Professor  Bruce Hammock,  then a UC Berkeley graduate student,  wondered how a caterpillar could turn into a butterfly.His research led to the co-discovery of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH)--an enzyme in the human body that breaks down…
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Walter Leal and video tribute to UC Davis emeriti faculty.

A Video Tribute to UC Davis Emeriti Faculty

October 7, 2026
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
 UC Davis Distinguished Professor Walter Leal of the Department of Molecular and Cellular recently released a tribute video congratulating all UC Davis faculty who transitioned to emeriti during the 2025-26 academic year. Leal spotlighted 22 retirees,  including UC Davis Distinguished…
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Dr. Beetlelady Stephanie Dole talks to visitors at Bohart Museum of Entomology open house.

Bang! Pow! Zap! The Super Power of Bugs

October 6, 2026
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
 Bang! Pow! Zap! The super power of bugs!Youngsters and adults alike delighted in listening to "Dr. Beetlelady" Stephanie Dole discuss “Bug Power” at a recent Bohart Museum of Entomology open house.Dole, a UC Davis alumna, entomologist, science communicator, photographer and author of the newly…
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These candles are from bees wax. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

From Beeswax to Candles: Sign Up for CAMBP Class

October 5, 2026
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
 Registration is underway for an all-day UC Davis class for those who want to learn "the fascinating world of beeswax, from how honey bees produce it to how beekeepers can collect, process, and transform it into beautiful and useful products."The California Master Beekeeper Program (CAMBP) annual class,…
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