Eileen Fodje displays some of the moth specimens at the Bohart Museum.

DAVIS — Most mothers are showered with gifts on Mother’s Day — flowers, perfume, candy and special meals.

Not so at the Bohart Museum.

Mother’s Day is "Moth-er’s Day."

The world’s largest moth, with a wingspan of 10 to 12 inches, will be among the insects displayed at the special “Moth-er’s Day” opening on Saturday, May 8 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Bohart Museum of Entomology.

The moth, the Attacus atlas, is native to Southeast Asia, said senior museum scientist Steve Heydon. Its total wing surface area encompasses about 65 square inches.

"Moths are underappreciated insects," said Tabatha Yang, education and outreach coordinator for the Bohart. "Moths simply don't get the attention that butterflies do. We wanted to focus on the incredible diversity of moths, so we'll have on display some fantastic moths."

Another large moth on display will be the "bat moth" or "black witch" (Ascalapha odorata), found in numerous locations, including Central America, South America, Bahamas and parts of the southwestern United States. In Mexican and Caribbean folklore, it is considered a harbinger of death. Pupae of the insect played a role in the novel "Silence of the Lambs," later made into a movie. ("Buffalo Bill” placed pupae inside the mouths of his victims)

The museum, which houses some 7 million specimens, including a live "petting zoo," is located at 1124 Academic Surge on California Drive.

This is the last in the spring series of special weekend openings, launched in February by museum director Lynn Kimsey, professor and vice chair of the UC Davis Department of Entomology. The Bohart Museum celebrated Valentine’s Day with "What Is a Kissing Bug?"; St. Patrick’s Day with "What Has Six Legs and Is Green All Over?” and the traditional UC Davis campuswide Picnic Day, held April 17.

The live insects includes Madagascar hissing cockroaches, Vietnamese walking sticks, walking leaves and tarantulas.

The gift shop will be open where visitors can purchase Mother’s Day gifts, such as T-shirts, posters, jewelry, stickers and  "insect candy," among other items.

The Bohart Museum, founded in 1946 by the late Richard M. Bohart,  is dedicated to teaching, research and service. The museum houses the  seventh largest insect collection in North America.

The Bohart, closed on Fridays, is open 8:30 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Tours can be arranged by contacting Yang at tabyang@ucdavis.edu or (530) 752-0493 or (530)-752-9464. "Due to limited space, groups need to call ahead and book a tour other than on the weekend openings,” she said.