The UC Davis Entomology Graduate Student Association will hold its annual Roach Races in front of Briggs Hall as part of the campuswide Picnic Day event on April 18. The event, which runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., features American cockroaches from a UC Davis research lab and is free for all attendees.
The Roach Races aim to engage the public with entomology in an interactive way, offering visitors a chance to cheer for cockroach competitors, participate in naming them, and even pet the insects before each race. This outreach aligns with efforts by University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) to connect research with community needs and promote educational engagement, according to the official website.
During last year’s races, race director Carla-Christina “CC” Edwards invited audience participation by asking where spectators were from and encouraging cheers for their favorite roaches. “We don’t allow gambling in the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology,” Edwards said when someone jokingly shouted a bet on one of the contestants. Fellow doctoral students Veronica Casey and Alice Yu-Ping Meng also engaged visitors by inviting them to interact directly with the roaches: “Who wants to pet the roaches?” they asked as eager arms stretched out.
Additional entomological activities will take place at Briggs Hall during Picnic Day. The Bohart Museum of Entomology will set up a pop-up tent featuring Madagascar hissing cockroaches as part of its live petting zoo, along with other insects such as stick insects. The UC Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program (UC IPM) exhibit will provide information about beneficial insects and pests while handing out lady beetles and temporary bug tattoos; associate director Karey Windbiel-Rojas plans to appear dressed as a cockroach for part of the day.
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources secures funding through public contributions to support its programs according to the official website. It promotes sustainable practices aimed at strengthening resilient ecosystems and economic vitality according to the official website. The organization utilizes nine research and extension centers that represent California’s diverse ecosystems according to the official website.
UC ANR is recognized for linking research directly with community needs according to its official site, operates within the University of California system managing Cooperative Extension services according to its official site, conducts over 33,000 educational events annually, and engages more than 18,000 volunteers in these initiatives according to its official site.
Organizers expect this year’s Roach Races—and related exhibits—to continue fostering curiosity about entomology among participants while supporting broader educational goals.
