Remembering Lois B. O'Brien (1927-2026)

Last week, on March 9, 2026, we lost Lois O’Brien, often affectionately known as the “Mother of Fulgoromorpha.” Lois devoted her life to the study of fulgoroids and to supporting natural history collections, leaving an enduring mark on both the science and the community around it. 

Together with her late husband Charlie O’Brien, her passion for insects and extraordinary generosity helped establish the O’Brien Collection at Arizona State University—now one of the world’s most significant weevil and fulgoroid collections, with over 1 million weevils and 250,000 homopterans. Their shared vision transformed ASU Biocollections into a global resource for research, education, and discovery.

Through her curiosity, kindness, and unwavering support for entomology, Lois inspired generations of researchers, students, and colleagues. She was not only a remarkable scientist and collector, but also a mentor and friend whose encouragement and enthusiasm shaped countless careers.

Her legacy lives on through the millions of specimens she helped preserve, the research they continue to enable, and the vibrant community she helped build.

We are deeply grateful for her life, her friendship, and her love for insects.

Thank you, Lois. Your legacy will continue to guide and inspire generations to come.

Also sharing The Love Bugs, a short film about Lois and Charlie O’Brien and their shared passion for insect collecting. The film received the 2019 News and Documentary Emmy for Outstanding Short Documentary.
https://jacksonhousefilms.com/project/the-love-bugs

By Sangmi Lee, Arizona State University Insect Collection   

Photo by Isa Betancourt

Lois O'Brien, 2010. Photo by Werner Holzinger

Lois O'Brien, 2025. Photo by Sangmi Lee