Meanwhile, in between social distancing, what's happening in the world of insects? We were surprised to see a skipper butterfly today (March 25) foraging in our bed of mustard in Vacaville, Calif.

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These redhumped caterpillars, to become moths, Schizura concinna, family Notodontidae, are dining on the leaf of a Western redbud, (Cercis occidentalis) in Vacaville, Calif. Emily Meineke, newest faculty member of the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology, studies how climate change and urban development affect insects, plants, and how they interact with one another. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

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Meet Emily Meineke, New UC Davis Urban Landscape Entomologist

March 24th, 2020

While you're sheltering in place due to the coronavirus pandemic precautions, not too many people are aware of a new faculty member in the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology, recently arrived from Harvard.

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A Painted Lady butterfly (Vanessa cardui) flutters on ice plant in West Vacaville on March 20, 2020. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

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A Painted Lady and an Ice Plant

March 23rd, 2020

When you're sheltering in, you can still take the dog for a walk--and look for insects. We spotted this Painted Lady butterfly (Vanessa cardui) sunning itself on a carpet of red-purple ice plant (Delosperma cooperi) in west Vacaville on March 20, "the day after the first day of spring.

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Swallowtail butterflies at the Bohart Museum of Entomology. Entomologist Jeff Smith, curator of the Lepidoptera section, says these are the Ulysses swallowtail – Papilio ulysses – that were collected in New Guinea, mostly by senior museum scientist Steve Heydon. "They are also found in Queensland, Australia, and some islands of Indonesia. It is one of those iconic butterflies that is often pictured in ads and other media because of its spectacular color." (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

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UC Davis: Where to Learn About Insects and How to Collect Them

March 20th, 2020

Life, as we know it, changed rapidly with the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.

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UC Davis distinguished professor Bruce Hammock in his office (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

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The Legendary Bruce Hammock: Why Science Is Fun

March 19th, 2020

"Bruce D. Hammock is widely known for his groundbreaking research in insect physiology, toxicology, pharmacology, and experimental therapeutics.

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