Backyard Orchard News
A Most Unusual Photo
It's an incredible photo. Nicole "Nikki" Nicola, a staff research associate in the Frank Zalom lab...
Male and female of the same species, Valley carpenter bee, Xylocopa varipunta, share a single passionflower blossom. The female is solid black and the male, a green-eyed blond. (Photo by Nicole Nicola)
A pollen-dusted female Valley carpenter bee exits the passionflower vine. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Male Valley carpenter bee, Xylocopa varipuncta, on a germander bush. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Who's the Boss of the Lavender?
Some folks refer to them as "those big, black scary bumble bees." They're not bumble bees. They're...
A Valley carpenter bee and a honey bee sharing the same lavender stem. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Close-up of the Valley carpenter bee. You can easily see the pollen dust on her. First and foremost, the Valley carpenter bee is a pollinator. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
"This is mine! This is all mine!" A Valley carpenter bee clings to the top of the lavender stem. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
UC Davis Zika Symposium: A Crucial Message
The seven speakers who addressed the UC Davis Zika Public Awareness Symposium on Thursday, May 26...
Chemical ecologist Walter Leal, coordinator of the Zika Public Awareness Symposium, addresses the crowd. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Dr. Emanual Maverakis (in white shirt) Department of Dermatology, UC Davis School of Medicine, answers questions after the symposium. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Professor Walter Leal (center right) answers questions following the symposium. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Coordinators of the symposium: (front row, from left) Esmeralda Curiel, Irene Orellano Bonilla, Nepheli Neeta Aji, Amarita Singh, Professor Walter Leal, Nida Ahmed, Leah Uto and Navjot Grewal. In the second row (from left) are John Tenorio, Mahmoud Jabaieh, Holly Vickery, Justin Hildebrand (back), Savannah Tobin, Christian Wirawan (back), Justin Hwang, James Warwick and Andre Tran. Not pictured: Hanni Newland. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Feel the Buzz: Want to Become a Master Beekeeper?
Want to feel the buzz? If you're a beekeeper and have kept bees for at least a year, you might...
Find the queen? This photo was taken in the apiary of Jackie Park-Burris Queens, Palo Cedro. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Christine Merlin: Why Those Monarchs Migrate When They Do
(Editor's Note: Due to unforeseen circumstances, Christine Merlin cancelled this seminar but it...
Texas A&M University biologist Christine Merlin examines a monarch. (Photo courtesy of Texas A&M University)