Master Gardeners of Ventura County
University of California
Master Gardeners of Ventura County

Bug Blog

Poor ol' Ladybug

The lady beetle, aka ladybug, was at the wrong place at the wrong time. We don't know how she managed to get tangled in the cellar spider's web or why the cellar spider opted to have her for dinner instead waiting for a tasty honey bee, a nutritious...

Cellar spider traps and wraps a ladybug. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Cellar spider traps and wraps a ladybug. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Cellar spider traps and wraps a ladybug. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Cellar spider proceeds to eat the ladybug, an insect that scientists agree is
Cellar spider proceeds to eat the ladybug, an insect that scientists agree is "foul-tasting" to predators. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Cellar spider proceeds to eat the ladybug, an insect that scientists agree is "foul-tasting" to predators. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Posted on Friday, May 17, 2013 at 9:36 PM
Tags: cellar spider (2), ladybeetle (1), ladybug (28), predator (26), prey (34)

Ah, Ladybugs!

Consider the lady beetle, aka ladybug. It's not a bug, but a beetle. It belong to the family Coccinellidae, and scientists have described about 5000 species worldwide, and about 450 in North America.  Some quick facts... Ladybugs are not always...

When a ladybug lands on you, it's considered good luck. A gentle push and this one took flight. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
When a ladybug lands on you, it's considered good luck. A gentle push and this one took flight. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

When a ladybug lands on you, it's considered good luck. A gentle push and this one took flight. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Posted on Thursday, May 16, 2013 at 11:08 PM
Tags: Coccinellidae (9), lady beetles (52), ladybugs (54)

About Those Neonics

"For many years, beekeepers and environmentally interested individuals have expressed the opinion that the use of neonicotinoid insecticides ("neonics") have interfered with the ability of honey bees and native bees to conduct their life activities...

Honey bee heading for a catmint (Nepeta) patch. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Honey bee heading for a catmint (Nepeta) patch. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Honey bee heading for a catmint (Nepeta) patch. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Posted on Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at 7:20 PM
Tags: bee newsletter (1), Eric Mussen (268), honey bees (429), neonicotinoid (1)

European Wool Carder Bees Aren't Slow Pokes

Don't ever call the European wool carder bee (Anthidium manicatum) a slow poke. It's not "as fast as a speeding bullet" (Superman), but close. The males, quite territorial, chase away other pollinators, including honey bees, sweat bees and...

European wool carder bee darts through catmint. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
European wool carder bee darts through catmint. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

European wool carder bee darts through catmint. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Mating European wool carder bees. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Mating European wool carder bees. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Mating European wool carder bees. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

After mating, these European wool carder bees broke away at lightning speed. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
After mating, these European wool carder bees broke away at lightning speed. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

After mating, these European wool carder bees broke away at lightning speed. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Posted on Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 10:25 PM

A Special Event in June

(Editor's Note: This luncheon has been postponed until October 2013. Details forthcoming) The buzz around the UC Davis campus is a June luncheon. Not just any luncheon, but "A Luncheon in the Garden." The UC Davis Honey and Pollination Center,...

Matched pair: Honey bees on blanket flower (Gaillardia). (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Matched pair: Honey bees on blanket flower (Gaillardia). (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Matched pair: Honey bees on blanket flower (Gaillardia). (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Posted on Monday, May 13, 2013 at 9:42 PM

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