Directed by Lynn Kimsey, UC Davis professor of entomology, the insect museum is named for noted entomologist Richard M. Bohart.
It rocks not "just because" of the excellent scientists, staff and volunteers--and the fact that it houses
- nearly eight million insect specimens
- the seventh largest insect collection in North America
- the California Insect Survey, a storehouse of the insect biodiversity
- a live "petting zoo," comprised of Madagascar hissing cockroaches, walking sticks, tarantulas and praying mantids; and
- a year-around gift shop, which is stocked with T-shirts, sweatshirts, books, jewelry, posters, insect-collecting equipment and insect-themed candy
No, it's not "just because" of all those attributes, accolades and accomplishments.
It rocks because of...well...rocks.
Last Saturday, as part of its open house, Bohart Museum officials invited the guests to paint rocks.
"Paint a rock with your favorite insect! These rocks can join the #UCDavisRocks that are hidden around campus and downtown. Once found, these rocks can then be re-hidden as a happy surprise for others to discover. Pictures of your #UCDavisRocks can be shared on the UC Davis Rocks Facebook page."
The Bohart Museum officials drew inspiration from Yolo Rocks and Solano Rocks, but a similar organization on campus, UC Davis Rocks, launched a related activity last spring. It is the brainchild of Kim Pearson and Martha Garrison of the College of Letters and Science. 
Tabatha Yang, education and outreach coordinator, coordinated the open house. UC Davis student Isabelle Gilchrist, a second-year entomology major, staffed the crafts activity table, offering rocks, paint and suggestions.
The theme of the open house, “Crafty Insects,” spotlighted crafty or sneaky insects (more photos of that in another blog), but a huge part of this open house starred rocks.
Just like Donna Billick, the self-described "rock artist" who sculpted the ceramic-mosaic worker bee, "Miss Bee Haven," in the Department of Entomology and Nematology's Häagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven on Bee Biology Road, the Bohart artists rocked.
All of them!
(Editor's Note: The Bohart Museum's regular hours are from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. It is closed to the public on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and on major holidays. Admission is free. More information on the Bohart Museum is available on the website or by contacting (530) 752-0493 or emailing bmuseum@ucdavis.edu
Attached Images:
Entomologist Joel Hernandez adds the finishing touches on a rock painted by his wife, Melissa Cruz, the outreach coordinator for the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
What's a rock without a butterfly on it? (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Isabelle Gilchrist, a second-year entomology major who staffed the family crafts activity table, displays a paint rock she created. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Members of Brownie Troop 3124 of Sacramento participated in the rock painting. In the foreground is leader Suzanne Enslow. The Brownies (from left) are Antonia Fedele-Mcleod, Adair Enslow, and Amelia Pacheco, all seven years old. At right is activity leader Isabelle Gilchrist, a UC Davis entomology major. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
The family craft activity at the Bohart Museum of Entomology "rocked." (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Sarah Luckenbill, 5 of Davis, created this colorful caterpillar. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)