Bugs at the Bohart? Yes, and Bernie and a Hot Dog, Too!

UC Davis student Gabriela Rivera, a member of the Entomology Club, opted not to be a bug, but a rag doll. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Sure, they're known for donning butterfly, bee, and black widow spider costumes.

But sometimes they opt to characterize a scarecrow, a rag doll, a police officer, a pirate, Bernie Sanders and a hot dog.  Or dress in a ghillie suit.

As a carved pumpkin spilled its guts, the costumes at the Bohart Museum of Entomology's Halloween party in the Academic Surge Building on Friday night, Oct. 27 startled, spooked and scared many of the Halloween celebrants.

However, not the costume of Lynn Kimsey, director of the Bohart Museum and professor of entomology, UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology. She slipped on her lab coat. Quick and easy.

Bohart Museum research entomologist Tom Zavortink portrayed Bernie Sanders, complete with a dark suit and tie and a name tag that read simply: "Bernie."

Bohart senior museum scientist Steve Heydon and his wife, Anita, chose to be a scarecrow and a black widow spider, respectively.

Forensic entomologist Robert Kimsey of the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology Department faculty, wore a ghillie suit. Last year he carried a duck on his shoulder, an invited guest. This year he came duckless.

Students Parras McGrath posed as a tarantula hawk, Jamie Fong as a hot dog, Keely Davies as a police officer, Gabriela Rivera as a ragdoll, and Diego Rivera as a pirate with a faux parrot perched on his shoulder.

Staffer Tabatha Yang, the Bohart's outreach and public education coordinator, came as a "staff infection" with an appropriate mark on her cheek.

Shark teeth showed up, too.  For the occasion, UC Davis entomologist alumnus (and artist) Danielle Wishon of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, detailed her face with gleaming predatory teeth, straight out of Jaws.

Bohart associate Greg Kareofelas, a dragonfly and butterfly expert, came as himself. "What are you supposed to be?" we inquired. "I'm Greg!" he said.

The attendees exchanged greetings, enjoyed food (catered by entomologists Ivana Li and Corwin Parker), dipped marshmallows, fruit and pretzels into a chocolate fountain, and broke a pinata. (See previous Bug Squad). They listened to a trio of musicians performing in front of the gift shop: James Heydon on guitar, Maia Lundy, vocals; and Maia's sister, Jade Lundy, on violin. Later Andre Poon, framed by a harp, entertained on the violin.

That's what entomologists do.

When Lynn Kimsey cut a chocolate anniversary cake, the predators, the prey, the police officer, the scarecrow, the hot dog and Bernie--and all the others--stepped forward.

You can have your cake and eat it, too, no matter if you're prey or predator or something else.