Faces in the Crowd at the Bohart Museum Open House

Carla-Cristina “CC” Edwards, a doctoral student in the laboratory of medical entomologist-geneticist Geoffrey Attardo, associate professor, UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology, answered questions about a variety of insects. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

They met scientists, asked questions, and gained new knowledge about insect science. 

The recent Bohart Museum of Entomology open house, like all its open houses throughout the UC Davis academic year, is science communication (SciCom) in action.

SciCom is about providing an outreach program, raising public awareness of insects, and engaging with people of all ages--inside or outside the science community.  It's connecting science with society, and society with science. It's fusing interest, it's bridging gaps, it's addressing issues. It's both educational and entertaining.

Outreach is really reaching in. 

And for the Bohart Museum team, it's getting involved with what they love.

Meet Carla-Cristina “CC” Edwards, a second-year doctoral student in the laboratory of medical entomologist-geneticist Geoffrey Attardo, associate professor, UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology.

"At the open house, I showcased a wide diversity of insect specimens found here in California," Edwards said. "One topic that surprised many attendees was the migration patterns of ladybugs (aka lady beetles). I explained how, unlike many other migratory insects that travel north to south, ladybugs migrate east to west. Some visitors even shared stories and pictures about recently spotting trees full of ladybugs in diapause!"

"I also highlighted robber flies, showcasing a display that included specimens caught mid-attack on their prey. While discussing these remarkable predators, I mentioned Charlotte Herbert Alberts, a former PhD student, and her significant contributions to the study of robber flies."

"Additionally, I shared my enthusiasm for some of my favorite local and aquatic insects here in California. For example, I introduced visitors to my favorite: toad bugs (Gelastocoridae) and giant water bugs (Belostomatidae). Of course, I also talked about mosquitoes, focusing on their larval stage as aquatic insects. I emphasized that not all mosquito species bite humans and pointed out the incredible diversity of insects found across California, especially here in Davis."

"It was a great experience sharing these insights and sparking curiosity about the incredible insects around us!"

Bohart Museum associate and bee scientist Sandy Shanks, seated next to Edwards, discussed the diversity of bees.  "I enjoy teaching the public about the thousands of other bees that are not honey bees." They include bumble bees, carpenter bees, European wool carder bees, leafcutter bees, longhorned bees, miner bees, and sweat bees. California is home to some 1600 species of native bees. (See UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden list)

Global Collection. The Bohart Museum, located in Room 1124 of the Academic Surge Building, 455 Crocker Lane, UC Davis campus, houses a global collection of eight million insect specimens. It also maintains a petting zoo (Madagascar hissing cockroaches, stick insects, tarantulas and more), and an insect-themed gift shop stocked with bug lover delights, including T-shirts, hoodies, jewelry, books, posters, pens, stuffed toy animals,  insect-collecting equipment and more.

Founded in 1946 by UC Davis entomology professor Richard "Doc" Bohart (1913-2007), the Bohart Museum is directed by Professor Jason Bond, the Evert and Marion Schlinger Endowed Chair, UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology, and associate dean, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. All open houses are free and family friendly. All open houses are free and family friendly.

And on Saturday, Feb. 8, the Bohart Museum will be participating in the 14th annual UC Davis Biodiversity Museum Day, a Super Science Day themed "Discover, Explore, Connect."  (See Bug Squad blog for a list of participants and hours). The Bohart Museum will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.