Backyard Orchard News
Karate Kick!
If you've ever watched a karate competition, you've probably seen the roundhouse kick, tornado...
A male longhorned sunflower bee, Svastra obliqua, foraging on a Mexican sunflower. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A male longhorned sunflower bee, Melissodes agilis (right), targets the larger Svastra obliqua. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Melissodes agilis shoots straight up after a powerful kick by Svastra obliqua. (PHoto by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Melissodes agilis (left) goes sprawling. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
How Revolutionary!
There's a fly on President George Washington's nose. Why shouldn't there be? When you pick up...
This photo of a bee sting, by Kathy Keatley Garvey, appears in Sarah Albee's book, "Bugged."
Watch Out, Below!
"Summertime, and the livin' is easy," belted out Ella Fitzgerald. She wasn't singing about bees,...
A male sunflower bee, Melissodes agilis, keeps a wary eye out as she forages on a Mexican sunflower, Tithonia. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Ah, bliss. A male sunflower bee, Melissodes agilis, is head first in the pollen. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A male sunflower bee, Melissodes agilis (as identified by native pollinator specialist Robbin Thorp, emeritus professor of entomology at UC Davis, in a territorial challenge. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
End of an Era for Eric Mussen
It's the end of an era for Eric Mussen. The Extension apiculturist, aka "honey bee guru,"...
Extension apiculturist Eric Mussen in front of the apiary at the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility at UC Davis. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Eric Mussen with his outstanding service award from UC ANR. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Anise Swallowtail, a Sunny Butterfly
It's a joy to see the anise swallowtail (Papilio zelicaon) fluttering around in community gardens,...
Anise swallowtail visiting a community park in Benicia. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Anise swallowtail foraging on wild radish. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
We have liftoff! Anise swallowtail leaves the wild radish. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Caterpillar of the anise swallowtail. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)