- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
The event, free and open to the public, begins at 10 a.m. on the Wyatt Deck. It is billed as an event to “explore the amazing diversity of butterflies and moths both near and far.” All ages are invited.
Butterflies they spot may include monarchs, gulf fritillaries, and pipevine swallowtails, as well as skippers and cabbage whites. Hernandez will also display his own collections of butterflies.
Hernandez, who received a bachelor of science degree in entomology from UC Davis in 2014, currently works for the Steve Seybold lab as a research/field assistant. He hopes to attend graduate school and receive his doctorate in entomology.
Hernandez worked for the Sharon Lawler lab for four years, both as a student and as a post-graduation junior specialist. A volunteer at the Bohart Museum of Entomology and the UC Davis Arboretum, he recently participated on a Bohart Museum insect collecting trip with entomologist/Bohart associate Fran Keller. “It was an amazing experience,” he said.
Hernandez has collected and curated insects for 19 years. “I have a passion for Lepitoptera and would like to use it as a target group for research in graduate school,” he said. “The species of butterfly that interests me the most is the blue morpho. The family of moths that interests me the most and the one I would like to study is Sphingidae.”
"I've been interested in insects ever since I was small," Hernandez said. "It was their unique life histories and morphologies that really propelled my passion for insects and entomology. What draws me to butterflies is the plethora of different colors and patterns that they display on their wings, as well as their life cycle.”
Hernandez presented a well-attended talk and tour on butterflies and moths at the Arboretum last September. Elaine Fingerett, the Arboretum's academic coordinator, chronicled the event in photos.
For more information, contact the Arboretum at (530) 752-4880 or by email, arboretum@ucdavis.edu.
- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
DAVIS--The Häagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven and the UC Davis Arboretum will participate in National Public Gardens Day on Friday, May 6.
The haven, located on Bee Biology Road, will celebrate the day with an open house from 5:30 to 7 p.m., and a garden tour at 6. Free sunflower plants will be given while they last. Parking is free.
The activities:
- Learn how to catch and observe bees up close, and see honey bees at work in an observation beehive.
- Hear from experts on such subjects as bee diversity and identification, and how to create a garden to help bees.
- Listen to children's book readings about bees and gardens
The half-acre Häagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven was installed in the fall of 2009. Christine Casey serves as the staff director, and Extension apiculturist Elina Niño as the faculty director. See flier at http://hhbhgarden.ucdavis.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/NPGD-flyer-2016.pdf.
The Arboretum Ambassadors (environmental leadership interns) and the UC Davis Astronomy Club will host a "Stargazing in the White Flower Garden" (Carolee Shields White Flower Garden and Gazebo) on Friday night, May 6.
Participants will see the new moon and the peak of the Eta Aquarids meteor shower, which can produce up to 30 meteors an hour. "Bring flashlights, blankets, warm clothes and snacks, if you like," a spokesperson said. "Warm beverages will be provided."
The garden is located off Garrod Drive. Parking is free in the one-hour spaces. There is also short-term metered parking in Parking Lot 55 or buy a $9 daily pass. Campus parking enforcement ends at 10 p.m. on weekdays.