Oct. 20, 2011
DAVIS-- Mark your calendar.
It will soon be "Blood Bugs" at the Bohart.
That's the theme of the pre-Halloween open house at the Bohart Museum of Entomology on Sunday, Oct. 30 from 1 to 4 p.m.
The event is open to the public; there's no admission. Halloween costumes are encouraged, said Tabatha Yang, education and outreach coordinator.
One of the highlights will be an insect costume contest. A prize will be awarded to the "best dressed insect" under 6; ages 7-12, 13 to 18, and adults. Judging will be based on creativity and originality, Yang said.
In addition, a prize will be awarded to the best overall insect tattoo.
Another special event is the 3:15 p.m. mosquito pinata bashing. The pinata, created by Brittany Nelms, will be filled with candy and some insect toys. The mosquito likeness is anatomically correct, Yang said. Nelms is a PhD student within the Entomology Graduate Group with a designated emphasis in Vectorborne Diseases (she studies with major professor William Reisen of the Center for Vectorborne Diseases (CVEC) .
Among the "blood bugs" on display will be mosquito, bed bug and biting fly specimens. (Not to worry--they're specimens; they're not alive.)
Located at 1124 Academic Surge on California Drive, the Bohart Museum houses a global collection of more than seven million insect specimens and also maintains a live “petting zoo” with such residents as Madagascar hissing cockroaches and walking sticks.
The Bohart Museum launched its series of weekend openings for the fall season on Saturday, Sept. 24 with “Catch, Collect and Curate: Entomology 101.”
The remaining schedule:
Sunday, Oct. 30, 1 to 4 p.m., “Blood Bugs”
Saturday, Nov. 19, 1 to 4 p.m., “Thankful for the Bugs”
Sunday, Dec. 18, 1 to 4 p.m., “Insects in a Winter Wonderland”
Saturday, Jan. 14, 1 to 4 p.m.: “A New Year, a New Bug, How Insects Are Discovered”
Sunday, Feb. 12, 1 to 4 p.m., “Bug Lovin’”
Saturday, March 10, 1 to 4 p.m., “Hide ‘n’ Seek: Insect Camouflage”
Saturday, April 21: 10 to 3 p.m., UC Davis Picnic Day
Saturday, May 12, 1 to 4 p.m., “Pre-Moth’ers Day”
Sunday, June 3, 1 to 4 p.m., “Bug Light, Bug Bright…First Bug I See Tonight.”
The R. M. Bohart Museum of Entomology, founded in 1946 by noted entomologist Richard M. Bohart (1913-2007) is dedicated to teaching, research and service. The museum houses the seventh largest insect collection in North America, and is also the home of the California Insect Survey, a storehouse of the insect biodiversity.
The museum’s regular hours are from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday. It is closed on Fridays and on major holidays. Admission is free.
More information is available on the Bohart website at http://bohart.ucdavis.edu/ or by contacting Tabatha Yang, education and outreach coordinator at tabyang@ucdavis.edu or (530) 752-0493. Due to limited space, group tours will not be booked during the weekend hours.
--Kathy Keatley Garvey
Communications specialist
UC Davis Department of Entomology
(530) 754-6894