Bug Squad

Bumble bee on bull thistle at Bodega Bay
Article

Seeing Yellow: Why? Outbreak of Alfalfa Butterflies

August 11th, 2016
If you've been driving near alfalfa fields in Yolo County and other Central California counties lately, you've probably noticed them. Splat! Splat! Splat! What was that? A squadron of flying insects? No, more like multiple squadrons of flying insects.
View Article
Article

Gotta Love Those 'Cats

August 10th, 2016
You gotta love those 'cats. Gulf Fritillary caterpillars (Agraulis vanillae) are always hungry. They're as hungry as teenagers returning home from a marathon swimming meet or from a double-overtime basketball game. As soon as they step in the front door, it's off to the refrigerator.
View Article
Article

The Joy of Rearing Monarchs Is Releasing Them

August 8th, 2016
Oh, the joy of rearing monarchs...from an egg to a caterpillar to a chrysalis to an adult... However, the ultimate joy is not in rearing them, but releasing them--from their confined and well-protected indoor habitat to that Spectacular Spacious World Without Boundaries.
View Article
Article

The Flight of the Bumble Bee

August 5th, 2016
Every time we see a pollen-packing bumble bee take flight, we think of the 300,000-pound Spruce Goose, which was never flight-worthy (well, except for its brief flight on Nov. 2, 1947).
View Article