OLLI-25

This page is for use during my OLLI class. Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Bradley University (OLLI) this Fall 2025: October 1, 8, 15 & 22. Most classes will be held in Bradley’s Michel Student Center, 915 N Elmwood Ave. Time: 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Unusual, Obscure, and Preposterous Insects

From the class description in the OLLI brochure…

Central Illinois has an estimated diversity of between 30,000 and 50,000 insect species. We will touch on some of these. There were likely many more before prairies were obliterated and insecticides were widely used. We will review the common insect orders one may encounter. We will discuss insect classification, biology (including behavior), and how to use common tools to identify local insects. We’ll also review some unusual insects and their strange behaviors. We’ll cover predatory butterflies, insect parasites/ parasitoids, and much more. Everyone will have the opportunity to examine actual insect specimens and possibly even review the fossil history of insects.

Class instructor is Mark DuBois, a retired Professor (Illinois Central College), formerly with the Illinois Natural History Survey and Kansas Biological Survey and who has a butterfly named after him!

Resources are for my reference and may be used in a different order. Note that these links will open in a new browser tab.

Week 1 (October 1)- Unusual, obscure, and preposterous Illinois insects (discussion)

Week 2 (October 8) – Insect classification (part 1 of 2) (discussion)

Week 3 (October 15) – Insect classification (part 2 of 2) (discussion)

Week 4 (October 22) – Social insects and more (discussion)

If you would like to learn more about the fascinating creatures which run our world after our OLLI class concludes, we have a Facebook group (you need to answer a few simple questions to keep the spammers out). We also have monthly meetings listed on our Central Illinois Insects website.