May 16, 2026 (Merwin Preserve)
Our May field trip took us to Merwin Nature Preserve (near Lexington, Illinois). We had 21 people participate. Not everyone is in the group photo as some arrived later. We conducted this joint field trip with the Herpetology Section of the Peoria Academy of Science....
Insect of the week (May 18, 2026)
Our insect of the week for May 18, 2026 is Patrobus longicornis [COLEOPTERA: Carabidae]. This species was described in 1823 by the American entomologist, Thomas Say. Adults are often attracted to lights at night. They are also found in wetter habitats (near the edges...
Insect of the week (May 11, 2026)
Our insect of the week for May 11, 2026 is the beetle, Podabrus flavicollis [COLEOPTERA: Cantharidae]. This is sometimes referred to as the yellow necked soldier beetle. This species was described by the American entomologist John Lawrence LeConte in 1851. He...
Insect of the week (May 4, 2026)
Our insect of the week for May 4, 2026 is Diachrysia balluca Geyer, 1832 [LEPIDOPTERA: Noctuidae], commonly known as the hologram moth. This species was described in 1861 by Carl Geyer (a German artist and entomologist who illustrated supplements to Jacob...
Peoria approximella (a moth named in New York for Peoria, IL). Photo of Michigan specimen courtesy Jim Vargo (used with permission).