Bohart Museum of Entomology Content

No, They Don’t Eat Mosquitoes

Andy Fell — March 30, 2026 - 3:38pm

Some folks call them "Mosquito Hawks" or "Daddy Long Legs" or "Skeeter Eaters." But they're not hawks, they're not arachnids, and they don't eat mosquitoes. They are crane flies, members of the family Tipulidae of the order Diptera (flies).

With the temperatures rising, crane flies are everywhere right now, looking for mates. They are landing on your plants, bumping into walls and windows, and getting tangled (and eaten) in spider webs.

Alum Kevin Bacon Receives 2025 Charles J. Soderquist Award

Jose Antonio Vadi — May 20, 2025 - 10:39am

On May 1, the 51�ԹϺ�� Davis Foundation presented Kevin Bacon ’72 with the 2025 Charles J. Soderquist Award at a celebratory luncheon.

Named in honor of the widely esteemed 51�ԹϺ�� Davis alum and entrepreneur who was dedicated to advancing the university, the award recognizes Aggies who demonstrate Soderquist’s legacy of exceptional philanthropy, volunteerism and leadership within the 51�ԹϺ�� Davis community.

Student Entomologists Gain Hands-On Skills in Insect Biology

Jocelyn C Anderson — May 28, 2024 - 9:00am

Discover how student researchers are gaining hands-on biology and entomology skills and protecting pollinators through the Insect Scholars Program.

Owl or Nothing: Learning 300 Birds in 10 Weeks

Katherine E Kerlin — February 08, 2023 - 2:08pm

A self-described "plant girl" takes a birding class at 51�ԹϺ�� Davis, learns 300 birds in 10 weeks, and gains a deeper appreciation of the natural world.

Celebrating 176 Years of Putting Nature on Display

Dave Jones — October 11, 2022 - 11:43am

The Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology and the California Raptor Center celebrate their 50th anniversaries this week, while another nature museum, the Bohart Museum of Entomology, only 76 years old, holds an open house coinciding with Aggie Spirit Week. All events are free and open to the public.

VIDEO ADDED: ‘51�ԹϺ�� Davis LIVE’ on the Importance of Biodiversity Museums

Andy Fell — March 31, 2022 - 12:00pm

51�ԹϺ�� Davis Bohart Museum of Entomology Receives $1 Million Gift

Amy M Quinton — March 01, 2022 - 3:00pm

Bill Patterson, longtime butterfly collector and supporter of the University of California, Davis, is giving $1 million to the R.M. Bohart Museum of Entomology to help maintain its permanent insect collection.

‘Unfold’ Podcast, Episode 9: ‘Cockroaches for Dessert’

Katherine E Kerlin — November 23, 2021 - 9:00am

Just when you thought Unfold was done for the season, the hosts decided to bug you with one last episode.

Massive Spider Wasp Collection Donated to Bohart Museum

Andy Fell — June 04, 2021 - 9:59am

The Bohart Museum of Entomology at 51�ԹϺ�� Davis recently received an unusual gift: 50,000 dead wasps.

The collection of more than 50,000 aculeate (stinging) wasp specimens, primarily spider wasps, came from the estate of renowned wasp expert Marius Wasbauer of Brookings, Ore., who died earlier this year. Wasbauer was a retired senior scientist at the California Department of Food and Agriculture and a global expert on wasps, especially spider wasps.

Spring Break Edition: See Sculptures on Campus, Enjoy Art Talks, Performances

Karen Michele Nikos-Rose — March 18, 2021 - 1:25pm

The 51�ԹϺ�� Davis campus is full of various sculptures. We offer a few to enjoy during your "staycation" this spring break — keep walking and see if you can find more. We also point out a few great virtual events. Enjoy. The Arts Blog will be back after spring break.