Rangelands

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For the Bohart Museum open house on praying mantises, Kevin Murakoshi of Davis crafted these intricate origami praying mantises. With him is UC Davis distinguished professor Lynn Kimsey, director of the Bohart Museum. Murakoshi, a UC Davis alumnus and former UC Davis employee (computer research specialist), is the principal solutions architect at Amazon Web Services. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Bug Squad: Article

Magical Mantis Moments

August 28, 2023
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
It was a "Magical Mantis Kind of Day" when the Bohart Museum of Entomology hosted an open house last Sunday afternoon, Aug. 27, on praying mantises.
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Graphic image depicting horizontal and vertical fire paths.
Pests in the Urban Landscape: Article

Weeds & Wildfires

August 28, 2023
By Lauren Fordyce
Wildfires are part of California's ecosystems, and they do not have to lead to the destruction of structures and livelihoods. Each of us can contribute to improving wildfire resilience, from individual homeowners and businesses to entire communities.
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Justin Valliere is the Department of Plant Sciences' new assistant professor of UC Cooperative Extension, with expertise in restoring California's natural landscapes. (Trina Kleist/UC Davis)
UC Weed Science (weed control, management, ecology, and minutia): Article

Valliere brings expertise in restoration ecology

August 27, 2023
By Gale Perez
Justin Valliere has been hired to expand the Department of Plant Sciences' reach in the fields of invasion and restoration ecology. Valliere started as an assistant professor of UC Cooperative Extension in July.
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A Stagmomantis limbata, perched on a zinnia, is waiting for passing prey. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Entomology & Nematology News: Article

BYOM: Bring Your Own Mantis to Bohart Museum Open House

August 26, 2023
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
It's BYOM at the Bohart Museum of Entomology today (Sunday, Aug. 27). That's Bring Your Own Mantis. The open house, themed "Praying Mantises," is set from 1 to 4 p.m., in Room 1124 of the Academic Surge Building, 455 Crocker Lane. It is free and family friendly.
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A Painted Lady, Vanessa cardui, with chunked-out wings, nectars on a Mexican sunflower, Tithonia rotundifola. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Bug Squad: Article

Luck Be a Lady

August 25, 2023
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
When Frank Loesser (1910-1969) wrote and composed "Luck Be a Lady" in 1950, he wasn't thinking of a butterfly. But when we spotted this Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) in our garden this week, we knew she was lucky.
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Mortar and pestle for grinding acorns.
The Stanislaus Sprout: Article

Original People of California’s Historical Use of Native Plants

August 25, 2023
By Anne E Schellman
Over thousands of years, the indigenous people of California used native plants in myriad ways for food, medicine, shelter, spiritual ceremonies, clothing, tools, and basketry. Some continue to practice the traditions, skills, and customs of their ancestors today.
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The egg-shaped nest of a yellow-legged hornet, Vespa velutina. This 33 feet high on a Liriodendron tulipífera and identified in November 2015 at the Plaza Pedro Nunes, Porto, Portugal. It became visible when autumn leaves fell. (Photo by Paula Jorge, courtesy of Wikipedia)
Bug Squad: Article

About That Yellow-Legged Hornet Detected in Georgia

August 24, 2023
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
Folks in Georgia have more than Georgia on their minds. It's about this yellow-legged hornet detected in Savannah, Ga., the first live species of Vespa velutina reported in the United States.
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A praying mantis, a Stagmomantis limbata, is pretty in pink, nestled in a bed of pink zinnia petals. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Bug Squad: Article

If Barbie Had a Praying Mantis....

August 23, 2023
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
If Barbie had a praying mantis, it would be pretty in pink. Do you think Barbie would fawn over a praying mantis nestled in a bed of pink zinnia petals? We spotted this Stagmomantis limbata in our living laboratory (pollinator garden), and admired her stance. Then Ms.
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A person standing in front of a hillside covered in yellow flowering French broom shrubs.
Pests in the Urban Landscape: Article

Invasive Pest Spotlight: Brooms

August 23, 2023
By Mackenzie F Patton
The Invasive Pest Spotlight focuses on relevant or emerging invasive species in California. In this issue we are covering brooms, a group of invasive shrubs. Invasive Broom facts Brooms are upright shrubs in the legume family that typically produce small, yellow, pea-shaped flowers.
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