In a pre-Valentine's Day event, officials at the Bohart Museum of Entomology at the University of California, Davis, are planning a Bug Lovin' theme for their next open house. It will be a lovefest of bugs!
The event, free and open to the public, will take place from 1 to 4 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 12 at the museum, located at 1124 Academic Surge on California Drive.
The Bohart, home of more than seven million insect specimens, also houses a "live petting zoo" (think Madagascar hissing cockroaches and walking sticks) and a bug-themed gift shop, where you can buy Valentine's Day presents for your sweetie. Among the many items: jewelry, t-shirts, sweatshirts, insect candy, coffee cups, posters, insect-collecting equipment and the like. (Be sure to check out the California dogface butterfly earrings crafted by UC Davis entomology graduate student Emily Bzdyk. Items from the gift shop can also be ordered online.)
The open house will be part of "UC Davis Biodiversity Museum Day." Also open that day from 1 to 4 p.m. will be the Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology and the Botanical Conservatory. The Center for Plant Diversity will be open from 2 to 4 p.m. (Download directions)
What else is Feb. 12 known for? Scientists celebrate the birthday anniversary of Charles Darwin (Feb. 12, 1809-April 19, 1882).
With four open houses planned on Feb. 12, it's a good time to head over to the campus and learn about biodiversity.
Attached Images:
Ladybugs, aka lady beetles, in fava beans. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)