Bugs for All, All for Bugs | UC Agriculture and Natural Resources

October 8, 2025
By Kathy Keatley Garvey

UC Davis entomologists Lynn and Robert "Bob" Kimsey answering questions at the Bohart Museum of Entomology open house on Oct. 5. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey — Noted entomologists Lynn and Robert "Bob" Kimsey answering questions at the Oct. 5th Bohart Museum of Entomology open house. Although retired, both continue their research and public service.: Lynn, who specializes in Hymenoptera, retired in February of 2024 and directed the Bohart Museum for 34 years. Bob is a forensic entomologist who retired in June 2024. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The Bohart Museum of Entomology open house, themed "Museum ABCs: How to Collect and Curate," drew scores of insect enthusiasts.

Held from 1 to 4 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 5, in the Academic Surge Building, 455 Crocker Lane, UC Davis campus, the event attracted visitors from as far away as Arizona and as close as the UC Davis campus.

Among those fielding questions about collecting and curating insects were UC Davis Distinguished Professor Emerita Lynn Kimsey of the Department of Entomology and Nematology, who directed the Bohart Museum for 34 years before her retirement in February of 2024, and her husband, forensic entomologist Robert "Bob" Kimsey, who retired from the department in June of 2024.

Both received their doctorates in entomology from UC Davis. "Dr. Lynn" is a two-term past president of the International Society of Hymenopterists, while "Dr. Bob" is a past president of the North America Forensic Entomology Association

Lynn Kimsey

Dr. Lynn, who joined the UC Davis faculty in 1989, is a recognized authority on insect biodiversity, systematics and biogeography of parasitic wasps, urban entomology, civil forensic entomology, and arthropod-related industrial hygiene. She was the last graduate student of Professor Richard "Doc" Bohart for whom the insect museum was name.

Highly honored by her peers, she has received a number of awards, including

Fellow of the California Academy of Sciences, 2025
The Exceptional Faculty Award from the UC Davis College of Agricultural an Environmental Sciences, 2023.
The Distinguished Scholarly Public Service Award from the UC Davis Academic Senate in 2016
The C. W. Woodworth Award (highest honor) from the Pacific Branch, Entomological Society of America (PBESA) in 2020.
The PBESA Systematics, Evolution, and Biodiversity Award in 2014
The PBESA Outstanding Team Award ("The Bee Team") in 2013

Bob Kimsey

Dr. Bob joined the UC Davis faculty in 1990, serving as an associate adjunct professor and lecturer. He was the the master advisor for the animal biology major from 2010 to 2024. He continues to advise the UC Davis Entomology Club; work on his research; and engage in public outreach. The forensic entomologist is known as "Dr. Death" at the annual campuswide UC Davis Picnic Day; he staffs the Dr. Death table at Briggs Hall and answers questions about flies.

Known as an outstanding teacher and mentor, Dr. Bob received

the 2019 UC Davis Outstanding Faculty Advisor of the Year
2019 Eleanor and Harry Walker Faculty Advising Award from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
the 2020 regional faculty advisor award from NACADA, the Global Community for Academic Advising.
The 2020 Distinction in Student Mentoring Award from the Pacific Branch, Entomological Society of America, a branch that encompasses 11 Western states, parts of Canada and Mexico and U.S. territories.

A Classic 'Dr. Bob' Comment

At the Bohart Museum open house, two young women, newly enrolled UC Davis students, stopped by Dr. Bob's table and looked at the fly specimens,

Bob, always eager to promote entomology, asked one of them: "Are you majoring in entomology?"

"No," she said.

"Why not?" Dr. Bob asked.

Visitors

Among the visitors attending the open house:

An area Brownie Girl Scout troop arrived to learn about insects and earn their "bug badges."
Great-grandparents Patrick and Kristina Halvorsen of Sacramento bought their two great-grandchildren, Athena Halvorsen, 6, and her brother Atlas, 6, of Burlingame.
UC Davis alumnus John Girarde, an attorney in San Francisco, brought his daughter, Tomas, and son, Victor, a newly enrolled UC Davis freshman (and yes, an entomology major)
A husband and wife team, Oliver and Sarah Patton of Woodland, brought their children, Dorothy 7, and Lincoln, 5.

Here's a look at the Kimseys interacting with the visitors. (More images to come)

Forensic entomologist Bob Kimsey extols entomology as a major. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey). — Forensic entomologist Bob Kimsey exults entomology as a major. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey).

UC Davis Distinguished Professor Emerita Lynn Kimsey chats with UC Davis alumnus John Girarde, daughter, Tomas, and son, Victor, a newly enrolled UC Davis student majoring in entomology. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) — UC Davis Distinguished Professor Emerita Lynn Kimsey chats with UC Davis alumnus John Girarde, and his daughter, Tomas (partially obscured), and son, Victor, a newly enrolled UC Davis student majoring in entomology. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Lincoln Patton, 5, and his sister, Dorothy, 7, of Woodland are fascinated with the insect specimens. Their parents, Oliver and Sarah Patton, are both UC Davis alumni. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) — Lincoln Patton, 5, and his sister, Dorothy, 7, of Woodland are fascinated with the insect specimens. Their parents, Oliver and Sarah Patton, are both UC Davis graduates. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The next Bohart open house?

Saturday, Nov. 15, 1 to 4 p.m.: "Bees and Their Mimics." UC Davis graduate candidates Lexie Martin of the lab of Rachel Vannette, associate professor and vice chair of the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology; and Abigail Lehner of the lab of Professor Neal Williams, are coordinating the event. All open houses are free and family friendly.

Cover image: Forensic entomologist Robert Kimsey explaining the importance of labeling. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)