Backyard Orchard News
It's Like Winning the Triple Crown
It's like winning the triple crown. The Pacific Branch of the Entomological Society of America...
James Carey teaching a UC Davis chemistry class “how to make one-minute videos on the properties of the elements in periodic tables.” The result: 540 one-minute videos, probably a world record. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Targeting Thrips
If you grow tomatoes, you ought to be concerned about thrips. They're pests of fruits,...
George Kennedy, the William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor of Agriculture at North Carolina State University, stopped to count thrips during a vacation to Mt. St. Helens. (Photo by Scott Kennedy)
'Insects Unlocked': How You Can Make It Happen
If you've ever wanted free access to incredible macro images of insects and spiders, this is...
Alex Wild's portrait of a Mexican honey wasp, San Antonio, Texas. This public domain image is among the images in the newly launched "Insects Unlocked" Project. Donations are being accepted to make it all happen.
Alex Wild's image of a Californian Pseudomyrmex twig ant. This is one of the images in "Insects Unlocked."
This is Alex Wild's image of a paper wasp stinger, Polistes carolina, in Texas.
It Was All the Buzz
It was all the buzz. Visitors at the annual California Agriculture Day, held Wednesday, March 18...
Extension apiculturist emeritus Eric Mussen of the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology talks to the crowd. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Legislative aide Tony Madrigal (right) asks Extension apiculturist emeritus Eric Mussen questions about colony health. Madrigal is an aide for Assemblyman Luis Alejo. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Readying the honey sticks for the crowd are beekeepers (from left) Bill Cervenka, Bob Sugar and Carlin Jupe and Extension apiculturist emeritus Eric Mussen. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Admiring the bees is Barbara Arciero, managing editor of California Bountiful magazine. With her is beekeeper Wendy Mather. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Honey bees going about their bees-ness. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Sold on the Salvia
Ever watched Valley carpenter bees (Xylocopa varipuncta) foraging on salvia? Native pollinator...
A female Valley carpenter bee, Xylocopa varipuncta, forages on grape-scented sage, Salvia melissodora. Note the "pollen cap." (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Check out the "pollen cap" on this female Valley carpenter bee, Xylocopa varipuncta, foraging on grape-scented sage, Salvia melissodora. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)