Backyard Orchard News
Of Termites, Bed Bugs and Cockroaches
We're all going to miss him. The termites, bed bugs and cockroaches--not so much. "Him" is Vernard...
UC ANR urban entomologist Vernard Lewis stands by his Villa Termiti, built just for termite research. (UC ANR Photo)
Madagascar hissing cockroaches at the Bohart Museum of Entomology, UC Davis. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Fusing Art with Science: 'I'd Like a Faster Maggot'
"I'd like a faster maggot." So said a little boy working on his maggot art project last Sunday...
Forensic entomologists and NAFEA members (from left) Royce Cumming of Salinas Valley, Bob Kimsey of UC Davis and Greg Nigoghosian of Purdue engage in a maggot art activity. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
UC Davis graduate student Alexander Dedman (left), who studies with major professor Robert Kimsey, watches as NAFEA member Greg Nigoghosian of Purdue dips a maggot into its "bath": non-toxic, water-based paint. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Maggot art in action. Sometimes it's a short wait while the maggot crawls around. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Close-up of maggot art by Neel Fulde, 7, of Davis. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
NAFEA member Royce Cumming of Salinas Valley and 6-year-old Olivia Storms of Davis show their maggot art paintings. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
One of the forensic entomology displays at the Bohart Museum of Entomology open house. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
This poster shows the life cycle of a fly. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
In Pursuit of the California Dogface Butterfly
Few people have seen California's state insect in the wild, but now thousands will this week--on...
Bohart Museum of Entomology associate and dogface butterfly expert Greg Kareofelas (left) shows a California dogface butterfly to Rob Stewart of "Rob on the Road" at the Shutamul Bear River Preserve. (Photo by Fran Keller)
The Shutamul Bear River Preserve near Auburn, Placer County, encompasses 40 acres and is considered "the" best habitat for the dogface butterfly. (Photo by Fran Keller)
Rob Stewart of "Rob on the Road" takes a selfie with a California dogface butterfly. (Photo by Greg Kareofelas)
Bohart Museum of Entomology associates Fran Keller (left) and Greg Kareofelas pose with Rob Stewart of "Rob on the Road." Keller, an entomologist with a doctoral degree from UC Davis, is an assistant professor at Folsom Lake College, and Kareofelas is a naturalist/photographer.
This is the group, including UC Master Gardeners, who toured the dogface butterfly habitat. Rob Stewart of "Rob on the Road" is kneeling, front left. Many wore butterfly shirts. Justin Wages, Placer Land Trust manager, is back row, fourth from left.
Wish You WAS Here! Top 10 Reasons Why You Should 'Bee' Here at UC Davis Sept. 5-8
Have you ever received an email, text or postcard from vacationing family or friends with the lead...
Honey bee guru Eric Mussen giving a tour of the apiary at the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
This is Miss Bee Haven, a ceramic-mosaic sculpture by self-described "rock artist" Donna Billick of Davis, co-founder and co-director of the UC Davis Art-Science Fusion. It anchors the Häagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Noted bee scientist, bee wrangler and author Norm Gary, emeritus professor, UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology, suits up for a bee wrangling demonstration. He spearheaded the founding of the Western Apicultural Society. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
There's an Assassin in Your Garden
Ever seen assassination attempts in your garden? They are not pretty if you're the prey. Neither...
Can you find the nymph assassin bug on this Cleveland sage? This bug belongs to the genus Zelus. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A nymph assassin bug strikes a pose on Cleveland sage. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
This adult assassin bug, Zelus renardii, is ready to ambush prey on a double cosmos blossom. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
This adult assassin bug lurks almost unnoticed on a Mexican sunflower, Tithonia. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
The predator: the assassin bug. This one is lying in wait on a nectarine leaf. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Gotcha! An assassin bug spears a male metallic sweat bee. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)