Ongoing research

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Western spotted orb weaver snares and wraps a honey bee. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Labor Day Travails

September 2, 2013
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
Today (Labor Day) began just like any other day. And it ended just like any other day, except for the Labor Day celebrations that we humans plan. For Nature's predators and prey that frequent our garden, however, it was an intertwining of life and death.
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Cooperative Extension Ventura County: Article

September 2013 Cloverlines

August 31, 2013
In this issue... Fair review, Horse Fair wrap-up, Using facilities, Project Enrollments, No Animal Left Behind Emerald Star Project and much more.
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A Carniolan honey bee sipping water from a fountain. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Why Honey Bees Need Water

August 30, 2013
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
Ever seen honey bees foraging for water on your outdoor clothesline? When Extension apiculturist Eric Mussen of the University of California, Davis, addresses beekeeping associations, he tells them to "always provide water for your bees on your property.
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This photo, by Stephen Daubert, is of a variable checkerspot (Euphydryas chalcedona.

Off to See the Butterflies

August 29, 2013
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
If you're not around the University of California, Davis, on Sunday morning, Sept. 29, you should be. You'll want to join the Butterfly Ecology Talk and Tour presented by naturalist Steve Daubert.
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UC Weed Science (weed control, management, ecology, and minutia): Article

Medusahead and Barb Goat Grass Forum on 11/5/2013

August 29, 2013
By Gale Perez
Here's information on the Medusahead and Barb Goat Grass Forum that will be held on November 5, 2013, at the UC Sierra Foothill Research & Extension Center (SFREC) in Browns Valley, CA. THIS IS A FREE EVENT to discuss the research and management strategies of medusahead and barb goatgrass.
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A western spotted orb weaver, Neoscona oaxacensis, finishing its web. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Acrobatic Spider

August 28, 2013
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
Oh, what serious webs they weave. Perfect concentric circles. Perfect for snagging prey. Perfect for capturing a few photographic images. Orb weavers take on the classic shape popularized by Charlotte the spider in E.B. White's children's book, Charlotte's Web.
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A European paper wasp on the hunt. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The Terminator

August 27, 2013
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
So here you are, a Gulf Fritillary caterpillar, chowing down on the leaves of a passionflower vine.
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IGIS: Article

San Francisco circa 2072

August 27, 2013
By Maggi Kelly
SF archipelago, c. 2072 Some fun before the semester starts! Like something out of a great scifi novel: from Burrito Justice (and via Mark O.
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UC Weed Science (weed control, management, ecology, and minutia): Article

FOUND: Japanese millet

August 27, 2013
By Gale Perez
This just in from the UC Rice blog (http://ucanr.org/blogs/riceblog/). The author is Luis Espino, UC Cooperative Extension Rice Farm Advisor in Colusa-Glenn-Yolo Counties. Japanese Millet August 26, 2013 Japanese millet is not a weed of rice in our area.
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