The University of California, Davis will feature maggot art as part of its annual Picnic Day event in the Briggs Hall courtyard on April 18. The activity, hosted by the UC Davis Entomology Graduate Student Association, invites participants to create artwork by dipping maggots into non-toxic paint and letting them crawl across paper.
The event aims to engage both children and adults in hands-on science while fostering appreciation for entomology. Activities like maggot art are designed to make learning about insects accessible and fun for the public.
Rebecca O’Flaherty, a former graduate student at UC Davis, developed the Maggot Art curriculum in 2001 while studying forensic entomology. O’Flaherty said, “I love my work and being able to share my love with so many people has truly been a joy. I tend to target young elementary students, second and third graders, because I find that at that age, most children are enthusiastic, uninhibited and extremely open to new ideas. They haven’t developed aversions to insects, and we’re able to instill in them an appreciation for and interest in all organisms, no matter how disgusting those organisms may be perceived to be.” Her work gained national attention when it was featured on the television show CSI (Crime Scene Investigation) and displayed at various art exhibitions.
Alongside maggot art, other activities include Roach Races, Bug Doctor consultations, insect origami demonstrations from faculty labs such as Rachel Vannette’s pollinator display or Ian Grettenberger’s biocontrol exhibit. The Bohart Museum of Entomology will also participate with a pop-up tent on site.
UC Agriculture and Natural Resources secures funding through public contributions to support its programs according to the official website. The organization promotes sustainable practices aimed at strengthening resilient ecosystems and economic vitality according to the official website. It utilizes nine research and extension centers representing California’s diverse ecosystems according to the official website, is recognized for trusted services linking research with community needs according to the official website, manages Cooperative Extension services within the University of California system according to the official website, conducts over 33,000 educational events annually engaging more than 18,000 volunteers according to the official website.
This year’s entomological committee is co-chaired by Grace Horne from Emily Meineke’s lab along with Marshall McMunn. The full schedule includes activities throughout Briggs Hall from morning until evening.
