Ongoing research

Jumpin' Jehosaphat! Those jumping spiders can jump--several lengths of their body, in fact. There seem to be more spiders in our yard this summer than usual--crab spiders, black widows, web weavers and jumping spiders. Well, that makes sense--we have more bees.

One left hungry. One didn't. We watched a leafcutter bee (genus Megachile) foraging on a gold coin flower (Asteriscus maritimus 'Gold Coin') yesterday when suddenly danger lurked. A jumping spider peered over the petals, its legs (aka "claws") extended in anticipation, the mark of a good hunter.

It's showtime! The Gulf Fritillary butterfly is one of the showiest butterflies in California, says butterfly guru Art Shapiro, professor of evolution and ecology at UC Davis. Indeed it is. The bright orange-red butterfly with a wingspan that can reach four inches visited our back yard yesterday.

Last week I sat in on the Weed Science School at held at UC Davis. This event is held every two years (alternating with the Aquatic Weed School) and is intended as a refresher or high-level introduction to weed science for professionals in the field.

"Just how long is that newly discovered species of wasp?" the reporter asked. "Are you sure the male is not 2-1/2 centimeters instead of 2-1/2 inches?" News media, the scientific world, and the general public can't believe it. Yes, the male "warrior wasp" is 2-1/2 inches, not centimeters.

Frank Zalom is an entomologist's entomologist. He's right at home whether he's in the strawberry fields, almond orchards, vineyards, classroom, lab, or "leading the troops"--whether they be students, graduate students, researchers, fellow colleagues or the general public.

Meet the new Council President... Horse Fair Wrap-Up... All-Star Project Update... Great Funding Resources... And much more.

Japanese dodder, Cuscuta japonica recently found in Lompoc, Santa Barbara Co. (Photo by: Matt Victoria, Santa Barbara Ag Commissioner's Office) Japanese dodder is an exotic parasitic weed which is a high priority noxious weed in California.

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The last time we encountered a praying mantis it was waiting for prey on a plant by the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility at UC Davis. Then we saw two more that day in front of the Laidlaw facility. They jumped on us while we were watching the first one.