Dragonflies: A Natural History

Journey into the mesmerizing world of dragonflies—ancient aerial predators whose distant ancestors soared with two-and-a-half-foot wingspans over 300 million years ago! Join Marla Garrison of the Liebman Institute for Science Innovation at McHenry College for an image intensive presentation showcasing the aquatic insect order Odonata which has been studied by aeronautical engineers for decades. These masters of flight also have unique and fascinating natural and life histories that, at times, are stranger than fiction. Through macro photography we will take an up-close look at their development, life cycle, and behaviors. Don't miss this chance to uncover the beauty, diversity and ecological importance of Illinois' 100+ species of odonates.

This meeting will be in-person at 7:30 pm at Crown Community Center, 1801 Main Street, Evanston.  Plenty of free, well-lit parking.

Marla Garrison is Director of the Liebman Institute for Science Innovation at McHenry County College in Crystal Lake, Illinois. For 29 years she taught biology at the community college level. Over the past 20 years she has studied the aquatic insect order Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies). She is the author of Damselflies of Chicagoland published online by the Chicago Field Museum of Natural History. She sat on the Executive Council of the Dragonfly Society of the Americas for many years and has worked with the US Fish & Wildlife Service on the federally endangered Hine's Emerald Dragonfly project. She conducts dragonfly research and surveys throughout the state of Illinois and around the country. She co-authors Nymph Cove, a quarterly news column published in the journal Argia and is currently working on her second field guide Dragonfly Nymphs of Illinois.