Mosquitoes are often annoying and sometimes can be deadly.

Medical entomologist-geneticist Geoffrey Attardo, associate professor, UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology, will discuss the risks of mosquito-borne diseases in California at a free seminar sponsored by the Center for Land-Based Learning (CLBL) on “Natural Mosquito Control” on Wednesday, May 15.

Applied insect ecologist Alejandro Del-Pozo, assistant professor at  Virginia Tech, will speak on “Expanding the Toolbox: Applied Research for Improving Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Specialty Crops” at the next seminar hosted by the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology.

Molecular geneticist- physicist Joanna Chiu, professor and chair of the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology, took home one of the highest academic awards presented at the recent meeting of the Pacific Branch, Entomological Society of America, held in the city of Waikoloa Beach, Hawaii. 

Her award: the Distinction in Student Mentoring Award. 

Due to an inclement weather forecast, the annual California Honey Festival will reelocate this year from downtown Woodland to the nearby Yolo County Fairgrounds, 1250 East Gum Ave. 

The free and family friendly event, co-sponsored by the University of California, Davis, takes place from 10 to 7 p.m., Saturday, May 4. Parking is also free, a spokesperson said.  The festival traditionally draws a crowd of some 40,000.

Clement Chow, associate professor in the Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, will discuss "Flying to the Clinic: Drug Repurposing Screen for Rare Diseases" at a seminar hosted by the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology on Monday, May 6.

He will speak at 4:10 p.m. in 122 Briggs and via Zoom. The Zoom link: 
https://ucdavis.zoom.us/j/9 5882849672

UC Davis distinguished professor Walter Leal of the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and former professor and chair of the Department of Entomology, is a newly elected member of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), becoming the second UC Davis entomologist selected for “the highest honor a scientist can achieve.”

The Barbie craze, in the form of a rosy pink moth on a hot pink T-shirt, swept Briggs Hall, home of the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology, during the campuswide 110th annual UC Davis Picnic Day 

Most of the entomology students wore pink “Bugbie” shirts--illustrated with a rosy maple moth,  Dryocampa rubicunda--as they staffed the "bug" activities.

Briggs Hall got pinked.

UC Davis distinguished professor emerita Lynn Kimsey of the Department of Entomology and Nematology, recently received a rousing 21-insect net salute for her entomological expertise and for her 34 years as director of the Bohart Museum of Entomology.

What's the latest information about bee biodiversity trends in North America?

Assistant professor Laura "Melissa" Guzman of the University of Southern California (USC) will speak on "Using Occupancy Models to Infer Trends of Bee Biodiversity in North America" at the April 29th seminar hosted by the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology.

Tabatha Yang, education and outreach coordinator for the Bohart Museum of Entomology, is being honored with an inaugural Chancellor's Outstanding Staff Award "in recognition of her exceptional initiative to create a significant positive impact on the UC Davis community over the past 18 months."

Nora Orozco, chief administrative officer for the Department of Entomology and Nematology (ENT) and the Department of Plant Pathology (PLP), served by the Phoenix Cluster, is the recipient of a UC Davis Staff Assembly's 2024 Citation for Excellence award for outstanding supervision.

The team spearheading the nomination included administrators, faculty, and members of the Phoenix Cluster advising team and the ENT awards committee.

Adam Wong, an assistant professor at the University of Florida (UF) who researches insect-microbe interactions, from mutualism to pathogenesis, will present the April 22nd seminar hosted by the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology. 

Here is the updated list of the Department of Entomology and Nematology's spring quarter seminars, coordinated by Brian Johnson, associate professor. 

The in-person seminars are from  4:10 to 5 p.m., Mondays in 122 Briggs Hall. All are on Zoom. The Zoom link:
https://ucdavis.zoom.us/j/9 5882849672

No seminar will be held on May 27 (Memorial Day).

Community ecologist Rachel Vannette, associate professor and vice chair of the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology--and a newly selected Chancellor’s Fellow--will discuss “Bees in the Tahoe Basin: Pollination Ecology and Conservation” at a Thursday, April 25th seminar hosted by the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center (UC Davis TERC).

What's a picnic without bugs?

The 110th annual campuswide UC Davis Picnic Day takes place Saturday, April 20 and lots of entomological activities are planned.

Meet the co-chairs of the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology Picnic Day Committee and check out the events.

The doctoral student co-chair is Grace Horne of the Entomology Graduate Student Association (EGSA).