Secrets of Butterflies Unfold at Sun City Grand, Sun City

Admission is free; RSVPs and inquiries should be directed to 623-546-7429. The Chaparral Center is located at 19781 North Remington Drive in Surprise.

Presented by Ron Rutowski, a professor in ASU’s School of Life Sciences, the 90-minute, richly illustrated lecture will explore the nature and biology of butterflies that inhabit the Sonoran desert, as well as the function of their exquisite color patterns.

“Studies have revealed fascinating secrets about butterflies that people find both intriguing and enlightening,” says Rutowski, whose internationally recognized research during 30 years at ASU has focused on butterfly behavior and coloration. “Students will come away with a deepened appreciation of the diversity of life that surrounds them, especially the butterflies.”

Rutowski, who earned his Ph.D. at Cornell University, has been a featured Lifelong Learning lecturer since last spring, drawn to the program by the opportunity to educate diverse audiences about the scientific work being done on butterflies and the biology of insects in general. He will repeat “The Lives and Colors of Butterflies” on November 15 at the Sun City Fairway Recreation Center, Music Room, 10600 West Peoria Avenue, at 7 p.m. RSVPs and inquiries should be directed to 623-876-0556.

What will attendees find most surprising about butterflies? Rutowski, who is director of ASU’s School of Life Sciences Undergraduate Research Program, says, “I believe they will find it interesting that there are over 14,000 species of butterflies and, for many of them, the length of their lifespan from egg to adult is a full year.”

More than 90 non-credit short courses, classes, lectures, workshops and field trip travel opportunities are offered in the Sun City and Sun City grand communities, as well as at ASU’s West and Polytechnic campuses this fall. Classes are taught by ASU faculty, emeritus faculty, and talented community volunteers. For more information and a complete schedule of classes, visit www.asu.edu/lifelonglearning.

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Arizona State University provides stimulating, university-quality learning experiences for older adults with a wide variety of educational backgrounds and interests who are interested in learning for the joy of learning. The institute resides in the university’s College of Human Services on the West campus. The college is focused on “Building Healthy Communities” and improving quality of life through teaching, research, community partnerships, and by preparing top-notch graduates entering the human services workforce.