Posts Tagged: bumble bees
Bumble Bees: Feeling Impact of Climate Change
We remember the reaction of Robbin Thorp (1933-2019), UC Davis distinguished emeritus professor of entomology and an international authority on bumble bees, when he spotted a lone Western bumble bee, Bombus occidentalis, on Aug. 15,...
UC Davis research shows that rising temperatures are particularly alarming to some bumble bee species, including the Western bumble bee, Bombus occidentalis. This one was located on Aug. 15, 2012 in the Mt. Shasta area. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
UC Davis researchers found that one of "the winners" in their climate change study is the yellow-faced bumble bee, Bombus vosnesenskii, shown here heading for a California golden poppy. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A male bumble bee, Bombus bifarius, nectaring on coastal goldfield, Lasthenia minor, at Bodega Bay. A UC Davis study shows that the rising temperatures are particularly alarming to a number of species, including this one. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Lawn-pocalypse! Surviving Drought
Ah, summer! The season of sunburns, pool parties, and… lawn droughts. If your once lush, green carpet now looks like a crunchy brown doormat, you're not alone. Let's dive into why your yard is staging a dramatic death scene and what you can do to...
Bermuda grass and weeds overtaking drought stressed turf grass.
A Bumble Bee's Beeline for a Rock Purslane
We miss the late Robbin Thorp, 1933-2019, distinguished emeritus professor of entomology at UC Davis, who co-authored Bumble Bees of North America: an Identification Guide (Princeton University Press, 2014). He loved to share...
Bombus fervidus, formerly known as B. californicus, makes a beeline for a rock purslane in a Vacaville garden. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Bombus fervidus cradles itself in a rock purslane in a Vacaville garden. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
The bumble bee's proboscis is easily seen in this image. This is Bombus fervidus foraging on a rock purslane. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Bombus fervidus exits a rock purslane. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Celebrating Bumble Bees on World Bee Day
It's World Bee Day and there's no better time than to showcase bumble bees, Bombus. The United Nations designated May 20 as World Bee Day to raise awareness of the importance of pollinators, the threats they face and their contribution to...
The yellow-faced bumble bee, Bombus vosnesenskii, emerging from a foxglove in Vacaville, Calif. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Bombus californicus, "the California bumble bee," foraging on blanket flower, Gaillardia, in Vacaville, Calif. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Bombus vandykei, the Van Dyke's bumble bee, foraging on lavender in a Vacaville, Calif. garden. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
The western bumble bee, Bombus occidentalis, on the hand of the UC Davis distinguished emeritus professor Robbin Thorp (1933-2019). (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Bombus melanopygus, the black-tailed bumble bee, foraging on a pansy in a Vacaville, Calif. garden. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
This is Franklin's bumble bee, Bombus franklini, monitored by Robbin Thorp (1933-2019) and now feared extinct. (Photo by Robbin Thorp)
Danielle Rutkowski: Symbiotic Fungi Associated with Social Bees
If you've been following the outstanding academic accomplishments of UC Davis doctoral candidate Danielle Rutkowski, you know that she researches the symbiotic fungi associated with social bees; is a 4.0 student; engages in public service; and is a major...
UC Davis doctoral candidate Danielle Rutkowski doing field work.
UC Davis doctoral candidate Danielle Rutkowski talks to visitors at the Rachel Vannette lab display in Briggs Hall during the 2024 UC Davis Picnic Day. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)