Bug Squad

The Sting. (c) Kathy Keatley Garvey)
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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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UC Davis distinguished professor Lynn Kimsey, director of the Bohart Museum of Entomology, holds some of the stocking stuffers available in the Bohart git shop. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
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There's a Bed Bug in My Christmas Stocking!

December 18, 2023
'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.
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A Conversation in the Flower Bed

December 15, 2023
Date: Sept. 9, 2023 Location: A flower bed in Vacaville, Calif. Mantis: Hi, it's me, your favorite praying mantis! I just popped in to say hello! Photographer: Well, hello there, Ms.
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A monarch caterpillar, the result of fall breeding in Vacaville, Calif. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
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Roll Call: Answer If You're Here

December 14, 2023
Roll call of monarch caterpillars today in a milkweed bed in a Vacaville pollinator garden. Secretary: "Caterpillar No. 1!" "Present." Secretary: "Caterpillar No. 2!" "Present!" Secretary: "Caterpillar No. 3!" "Present!" Secretary: "Caterpillar No. 4!" "Here!" Secretary: "Caterpillar No.
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This image of the larva of an elm zigzag fly appears on the cover of the 2024 Entomological Society of America calendar. (Photo by Christian Brockes of Germany)
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Inside the 'World of Insects' Calendar

December 13, 2023
If you like insects, macro photography, and cool calendars, you'll want to order the "World of Insects" calendar, published by the Entomological Society of America. You'll see insects you've never seen before--and learn a little about them.
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