Rangelands

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Inside the hive: a queen bee and worker bees. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Bug Squad: Article

Western Honey Bee Origin: It's in the Genes

December 14, 2021
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
Scientists and honey bee enthusiasts have been debating the origin of the Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) for centuries. We know that European colonists introduced honey bees (Apis mellifera) into the Jamestown colony (now Virginia) in 1622.
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This was part of Extension apiculturist emeritus Eric Mussen's office, ready to be moved. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Bug Squad: Article

Eric Has Left the Building

December 13, 2021
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
Remember when, following an Elvis Presley concert, an emcee would announce "Elvis has left the building"? That was to signal that Elvis would not be returning for an encore. Since then, "Elvis has left the building," has served as a catchphrase for not only music celebrities but for retirees.
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Overwintering monarchs at Natural Bridges State Park, Santa Cruz, in 2016. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Bug Squad: Article

Western Monarch Population Increase: What Does This Mean?

December 10, 2021
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
What does the increase in the overwintering Western monarch population along coastal California mean? The number of Danaus plexippus sightings showed a 100-fold increase as compared to last year, according to the Thanksgiving count initiated by the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
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riparian area with fuels treatment
Blog - Forest Research and Outreach : Article

Fuels Management in Creeks and Streambeds

December 10, 2021
By Kimberly C Ingram
There is increasing concern about fire hazard from fuels accumulation in riparian areas and what forest landowners can do to manage these areas. Riparian vegetation and forests have ecological importance in terms of water quality and quantity, and wildlife and aquatic habitat.
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A close-up of an aphid giving birth in a Vacaville pollinator garden. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Bug Squad: Article

Ever Seen an Aphid Giving Birth?

December 9, 2021
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
You know those dratted aphids, those little pests that suck the very lifeblood out of your prized plants? Well, have you ever watched them give birth? They do, you know. Live births. The UC Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program says that "Aphids have many generations a year.
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California Naturalist: Article

USGCRP Public Engagement Workshops

December 8, 2021
By Sabrina L Drill
The US Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) is hosting a series of public engagement workshops in January and February as part of its Fifth National Climate Assessment to solicit feedback on climate change-related issues that are important to the public.
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sheep
California Naturalist: Article

Biodiversity Writ Large

December 8, 2021
A "Natural History Note" From UC California Naturalist's lead scientist, Dr. Cameron Barrows. It is that range of biodiversity that we must care for - the whole thing - rather than just one or two stars.
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A winged termite ready for flight as another termite waits. This image was taken Oct. 27 in Vacaville, Calif.(Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Bug Squad: Article

How Termites 'Looking for Love' Landed in the News

December 8, 2021
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
What a year! Termites seem to be capturing the interest of more folks than usual. First, emeritus Cooperative Extension specialist Vernard Lewis of UC Berkeley, highly respected as "The Termite Man," drew widespread attention on Nov.
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