Bug Squad

The Bug Squad blog, by Kathy Keatley Garvey of the University of California, Davis, is a daily (Monday-Friday) blog launched Aug. 6, 2008. It is about the wonderful world of insects and the entomologists who study them. Blog posts are archived at https://my.ucanr.edu/blogs/bugsquad/index.cfm. The story behind "The Sting" is here: https://my.ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7735.

Check out the pollen on this black-tailed bumble bee, Bombus melanopygus, nectaring on manzanita, as photographed by Kim Chacon, UC Davis doctoral candidate on Jan. 10.

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Drum Roll...First Bumble Bee of the Year!

January 17, 2019

We have a winner! Several UC Davis bumble bee enthusiasts--encouraged by native pollinator specialist Robbin Thorp, UC Davis distinguished emeritus professor of entomology--compete every January to find the first bumble bee of the year in Yolo and Solano counties. It's a friendly competition.

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Mexican redknee tarantula, the new project of 9-year-old Delsin Russell of Vacaville. Santa delivered the much-wanted gift on Christmas Eve. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

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What, Santa Didn't Bring You a Tarantula for Christmas?

January 16, 2019

Doesn't Santa give everyone a Mexican redknee tarantula for Christmas? Oh, you didn't get yours? Well, Delsin Russell, 9, of Vacaville, did, and he and his mother journeyed Saturday, Jan.

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Kira Olmos, 5, of Winters isn't sure she wants meet an Australian stick insect at the Bohart Museum. She is holding mom's hand. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

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Kira Meets a Stick Insect

January 15, 2019

When you're five years old and just learning about the world around you and its inhabitants, it's okay to be a little apprehensive when you encounter a giant prickly stick insect with thornlike spikes. Even if your mother is holding it.

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An anise swallowtail caterpillar, Papilio zelicaon. UC Davis distinguished professor Bruce Hammock's research on metamorphosis has led to human-focused research. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

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Bruce Hammock: From Researching Insects to Helping Humankind

January 14, 2019

And to think it all began with butterflies. From basic science to applied science. From studying insects to helping humankind.

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This maggot art is the work of entomologist-artist Diane Ullman, professor of entomology at UC Davis and former chair of the department. She served as the co-founding director of the UC Davis Art/Science Fusion Program. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

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Don't Miss This: Maggot Art at the Bohart

January 11, 2019

Maggot art at the Bohart! That rhymes. And that's what's planned as the family craft activity when the Bohart Museum of Entomology hosts an open house on fly research from 1 to 4 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 12 in Room 1124 of the Academic Surge Building, located on Crocker Lane, UC Davis campus.

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