Peoria approximella (a moth named in New York for Peoria, IL). Photo of Michigan specimen courtesy Jim Vargo (used with permission).

If you are interested in resources associated with Mark DuBois’ insect classes, check out InsectsMatter.net.

Monthly 20 second video challenge!

We discussed a monthly video challenge at our February planning meeting. This challenge is open to anyone (just use the contact page to ask for a login to be created fo you). Only dues paying members of the Entomology Section of our Peoria Academy of Science are eligible for prizes!

20 Second Video Challenge Site

Here is a short explanation video as well.

Our 2026 Meeting Schedule (tentative)

Date/ Time / Location (including optional / outreach activities)

Sat. 21st at 9:00 am (meet at U of I Extension Office, Pekin)

Sat 21st at 9:00 am (meet at Mark’s home – 116 Burton St., Washington). We will gather and carpool/ caravan to East Peoria [3382-3478 Access Rd 6, East Peoria] We should arrive before 9:30 for those going directly to the gardens.
Optional event – Sat 14th Gardener’s Big Day (Cuba High School) 8 am – 1 pm Mark will be promoting our entomology section. Stop by if you are in the area.
Outreach event – Sat 28th Mark will be presenting a 4-H workshop on insect collecting in Pekin.

Sat 18th at 11:00 am (meet at Forest Park Nature Center, 5809 N Forest Park Dr, Peoria Heights) [Note time change]
Outreach event – Mark will be presenting “Bugs under water” as part of the Clean Water Celebration at the Peoria Civic Center. April 20
Optional event – Extraordinary Caterpillar film viewing (free) – April 23, 6 p.m. ICC Arbor Auditorium. Hope to see you there! Above link will provide you with a PDF you can print.
Optional event – Connor is coordinating the City Nature Challenge discussed at our planning meeting. Those using iNaturalist are encouraged to help out. April 24 – 27
Optional event – Dixon Waterfowl Refuge will be participating in a mini-bioblitz from April 26 from 9 until noon. Mark will be advising.

Sat 16th at 9:00 am (meet at Mark’s home – 116 Burton St., Washington). We will gather and carpool/ caravan to the west gate entrance [25777 N 1925 East Rd, Lexington] We should arrive by 10 a.m. for those going directly to the preserve.

Sat 20th at 9:00 am (meet at Mark’s home – 116 Burton St., Washington). We will gather and carpool/ caravan to the bog [28478 Brandenburg Road, Ingleside] [Note – this is a tentative trip; it will take roughly 3 hours to drive there; we may provide the option for overnight stays at motels of your choosing. For those so choosing, we may also visit Pistakee Bog Nature Preserve nearby].
Outreach event – Pollinator Day at Best Buds Garen Center June 27 (10 – noon). Mark will be discussing pollinators.

Sat 18th at 9:00 am (meet at Mark’s home – 116 Burton St., Washington). We will gather and carpool/ caravan to the site [near 2236 IL-178, Oglesby]. If the river is too high, we will visit nearby Matthiessen State Park.
Outreach event – Mark will be leading a night insect observing session at Wildlife Prairie Park starting at 7 p.m. July 24

Sat 16th at 9:00 am (meet at Mark’s home – 116 Burton St., Washington). We will gather and carpool/ caravan to the site [Everett McKinley Dirksen Park, JC46 + Route 92, Pekin]. We should arrive about 9:45 for those driving directly to the site.
Outreach event – Mark will be leading a night insect observing session at Forest Park Nature Center starting at 7 p.m. August 29

Sat 19th at 5:00 pm (meet at Jubilee State Park, Prairie Lane) [Note time change]
Outreach event – Mark will be discussing insects at the Central Illinois Master Naturalist training in Pekin. September 28

Sat 24th at 9:00 am (meet at 12029 Hickory Grove Rd., Dunlap). We will meet and carpool/ caravan to the site [715 W Singing Woods Rd, Edelstein]. We should arrive before 9:30 for those driving directly to the site.

Sat 21st at 9:00 am (meet at 1505 Valle Vista Blvd., Pekin). This is at the U of I Extension Office.

No meeting or field trip this month!

See you at our January 16, 2027 planning meeting at 9 a.m. (meet at 1505 Valle Vista Blvd., Pekin). This is at the U of I Extension Office.

If you would like to download a printable PDF of this meeting schedule, we have linked this file. Note this is a tentative schedule and may change. We will update the website and the associated PDF if that happens. Hope to see you on our many field trips and optional events.

We are a section of the Peoria Academy of Science (Peoria, Illinois).

Feel free to contact us with your questions about central Illinois insects. You can also now find us on Facebook. We have established a private group (to keep out the spammers). Central Illinois Insects is the name of our group on Facebook. If you wish to become a member of the group, just answer three simple questions.