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| Joel Hernandez, student assitant at the Bohart Museum of Entomology, shows an insect collection kit that made the Martha Stewart Living list of best gifts for the naturalists. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) |
Bugs Fascinate Him
Joel Hernandez (above) of Oxnard, a second-year entomology major at UC Davis and a student assistant at the Bohart Museum of Entomology, has been interested in insects since the second grade.
What first sparked his interest? Watching an Animal Planet episode featuring the insects of Madagascar. At age 7, he received his first insect collection kit. He later joined the Loma Vista 4-H Club, Ventura, and enrolled in an entomology project. His display of insects won "best of division" and "best of class" awards in the Ventura County Fair. Hernandez now has five display cases of insects, including two cases of butterflies, one case of beetles and miscellaneous insects.
His ambition? To become an entomology professor. |
DAVIS--“Happy Holidays!” and "Season’s Greetings!” mean “Happy Bug Collecting!” at the Bohart Museum of Entomology, University of California, Davis.
Just ask Martha Stewart.
The editors of the Martha Stewart Living list an insect collecting kit available at the Bohart as one of the top three “gifts for the young naturalist.”
“It is great that Martha Stewart Living has recognized some of the cool insect-themed gifts we have at the Bohart Museum,” said Tabatha Yang, education and outreach coordinator at the Bohart.
“A complete insect collecting kit makes a great gift for budding entomologists, whatever their age,” Yang said. “No assembly required. The recipient just needs to get outside and start exploring nature.”
Fran Keller, a doctoral candidate in entomology, said being on the top three list is terrific. “Anything to educate the public about insects!” she said.
Editors of Martha Stewart Living wrote on their website: “Here is a handful of gifts for the pint-size wildlife expert. If your child loves being outdoors and inspecting all things creepy-crawly, read on to find the perfect present."
They cautioned: "Just be sure to enforce a strict no-centipedes-indoors rule" before they head out with their "eco-cool contraptions!”
Of the Bohart insect-collecting kit, the Martha Stewart Living editors described it as “perfect for a serious bug lover” and it “comes with a butterfly net and mounting equipment.” Collecting tips are on the Bohart website. The insect collecting kit sells for $36.50 and can be purchased on site or on the Web at http:// bohart.ucdavis.edu.
Video clips on how to make an insect collection can be seen on the UC Davis Department of Entomology website. Entomology professor James R. Carey taught a class last spring to UC Davis students and graduate students.
To accommodate families who work during the week, the Bohart has scheduled a special weekend opening on Saturday, Dec. 11 from 1 to 4 p.m. The Bohart is open on weekdays, year around, from 8:30 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
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| The gift shop at the Bohart Museum of Entomology contains a variety of gifts, including t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, hand-made jewelry, posters, magnets books and insect candy. Click to enlarge. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) |
The Bohart Museum, directed by Lynn Kimsey, professor and former interim chair of the UC Davis Department of Entomology, holds more than seven million insect specimens and a “petting zoo” that includes Madagascar hissing cockroaches and walking sticks.
The gift shop not only includes insect collecting kits, but more traditional gifts such as T-shirts, mugs, posters, jewelry and books that are unique to the Bohart Museum and UC Davis.
“And for those family members that have not been so nice, you can buy edible, flavored insects like sour cream and onion crickets,” Yang quipped. “It is a greener option than coal.”
--Kathy Keatley Garvey
Communications specialist
UC Davis Department of Entomology
(530) 754-6894
