'Moth-ers Day' at the Bohart

One day before mothers get their special day this weekend, the Bohart Museum of Entomology is giving moths a special day of their own.

The free "Moth-ers Day" program is scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday (May 7).

Two moths in particular, the Urania leilu and the Chrysiridia rhipheus, "will challenge people's notions of what a moth is,” said Tabatha Yang, the museum's education and outreach coordinator.

She said the museum's new public microscope will offer visitors the opportunity to look at insect wings to see the scales that define the order Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies).

The museum, in 1124 Academic Surge, houses the seventh largest insect collection in North America — more than 7 million specimens, plus a live “petting zoo” that includes Madagascar hissing cockroaches and walking sticks, and a gift shop where visitors can purchase such items as t-shirts, sweat shirts, posters, jewelry and insect candy.

The museum schedules weekend events several times a year to accommodate families and others who are unable to visit during regular hours: 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

The Bohart's last weekend event of 2010-11 is titled "June Bugs," and is scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 5.

More information is available online or by contacting Yang, (530) 752-9464 or tabyang@ucdavis.edu.

Staff Assembly outings

• UC Davis Day with the Oakland A’s — Sunday, June 19, a 1:05 p.m. game vs. the world champion San Francisco Giants.

Tickets: $12 per person for Plaza Reserve seats, no food included; or $42 per person for Plaza Club seats, including a gourmet deli sandwich, chips and soda, plus access to the Plaza Club.

Click here for ticket ordering information; the order deadline is June 1. Click here to see Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum seating.

• UC Davis Family Picnic at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom (Vallejo) — Saturday, Aug. 6 (park hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.). For all UC Davis affiliates, including those with the UC Davis Health System, and friends and families.

Tickets: $35 per person, for everyone 3 years old and up (children under 3 will be admitted free). The price includes an all-you-can-eat picnic (2-4 p.m.); the picnic includes barbecue hamburgers, hot dogs, baked beans, garden salad, Italian pasta, corn cobbettes, watermelon slices, ice cream sandwiches and soft drinks. (A vegetarian option is available).

Vouchers are available for $5 parking (normally $15).

Click here for the order form; the order deadline is July 25.