Bug Squad

A daily (M-F) blog launched Aug. 6, 2008 and about the wonderful world of insects and those who study them. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
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Noted insect photographer Alex Wild captured this spectacular image of sweat bees on sideoats grama. (Photo by Alex Wild and used with permission.)

Call of the (Alex) Wild

October 20, 2011
There are insect photographers and there are insect photographers. There are those who point and shoot, those who shoot and point, and those who see the world through a viewfinder. And then there's Illinois-based Alex Wild, who is in a class by himself.
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Spotted cucumber beetles crawls along a tangerine leaf. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A Flying Cucumber (Beetle)

October 19, 2011
You usually see them crawling around, but never about to fly. The Western spotted cucumber beetles (Diabrotica undecimpunctata) is one of California's most common insects. And though quite attractive in coloring, it's a major agricultural pest.
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Honey bee nectaring lavender. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

What's That Buzz?

October 18, 2011
Things are buzzing over at the Robert Mondavi Wine and Food Science on the University of California, Davis campus. The RMI folks are gearing up for the big Honey! event, set for 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 21 in the UC Davis Conference Center.
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Lygus bug (Lygus hesperus) is a major agricultural pest. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Targeting Lygus Bugs

October 17, 2011
If you've ever grown strawberries, you're probably familiar with what the lygus bug does. This major agricultural pest is one of the causes of those cat-faced strawberries you see in your garden or in the field. Cat-faced? Think misshapened, deformed or irregularly shaped berries.
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Honeybee Trio is comprised of (from left) Karli Bosler, 16; Natalie Angst, 16, and Sarah McElwain, 15. In back is Donna Billick's bee sculpture. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Show Me the Honey! (And the Wonder of Bees!)

October 14, 2011
Honey in the morning Honey in the evening Honey at suppertime Be my little honey And love me all the time... So sang the McGuire Sisters in their 1958 hit tune, "Sugartime." And so will sing the Honeybee Trio of Vacaville at the Honey! event on Friday, Oct. 21 in the UC Davis Conference Center.
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