Backyard Orchard News
A Big Butterfly-and-Bee Day at the Bohart
It was a big butterfly-and-bee day at the Bohart. Despite other major attractions--including the...
Entomologist Jeff Smith, who curates the butterfly and moth display at the Bohart, shows South American rainforest butterflies, Preponas, in the genus Archaeoprepona to butterfly-bee enthusiast Ria deGrassi of Davis. (Photos by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Davis resident Ria deGrassi talks about finding an unusual bee in her yard. At left are Robbin Thorp (foreground), UC Davis distinguished emeritus professor of entomology, and Bohart associate Greg Kareofelas (next to him).
Robbin Thorp, UC Davis distinguished emeritus professor of entomology, displays a male Valley carpenter bee, aka "teddy bear." He assured visitors: "Boy bees can't sting."
A visitor stops to read a poster at the close of the Bohart Museum open house.
Aphids--It's What's for Dinner!
"Well, yes, I would like some aphids for dinner," said every lady beetle (aka ladybug)...
A multicolored Asian lady beetle, Harmonia axyridis, chows down on an aphid while other aphids suck juices from the rosebud. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A multicolored Asian lady beetle on a rain-soaked rose leaf on the first day of spring, March 20, in Vacaville, Calif. Note the aphids below the beetle. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Rain-soaked lady beetle eggs on the first day of spring, March 20, in Vacaville, Calif. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Monarch Starter Set: Partnership Between a Business and the Bohart
A little philanthropy goes a long way. Especially when it comes to small-scale monarch...
The monarch starter set: a zippered, meshed habitat, and a sturdy, broad-based, narrow-necked bottle. Fill with water and milkweed and add monarch caterpillars. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A monarch caterpillar munching on milkweed. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
The caterpillars have formed chrysalids. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Monarchs are about to eclose from these chrysalids. You can see them inside. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A monarch has just eclosed. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A monarch ready for release. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Newly released male monarch butterfly. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Frank Zalom: A Distinguished Public Service Scholar
Integrated pest management (IPM) specialist Frank Zalom is a distinguished professor in the UC...
Integrated pest management specialist Frank Zalom, UC Davis distinguished professor, by an almond tree. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A 'Butterfly Open House' at the Bohart Museum on March 19
It's almost spring. Do you know where your butterflies are? Do you know how to attract them to your...
Bohart Museum associate Greg Kareofelas talks to butterfly enthusiasts on a Placer Land and Trust tour looking for the California dogface butterfly, the state insect. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Framed by hikers, Greg Kareofelas tells the history of the California dogface butterfly, the state insect. This photo was taken on Placer Land and Trust acreage near Auburn. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Want to attract monarchs? Plant their larval host plant, milkweeds. Nectar plants? They like Mexican sunflower (Tithonia) and the butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii), among others. This photo shows a monarch on Tithonia. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Want Gulf Fritillaries? Plant their host plant, the passionflower vine. This butterfly is nectaring on Mexican sunflower (Tithonia). (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)