Insect of the week (June 23, 2025)
Our insect of the week for June 23, 2025 is the bee fly – Exoprosopa butleri Johnson & Johnson, 1959 [DIPTERA: Bombyliidae]. This species is native to central Illinois. Adults are found throughout the summer months. Although aduls feed on nectar and pollen...
Insect of the week (June 16, 2025)
Our insect of the week for June 16, 2025 is the yellowjacket hover fly – Milesia virginiensis (Drury, 1773) [DIPTERA: Syrphidae]. This species is native to central Illinois. Adults are found mid-summer until early autumn. As the name implies, adults are harmless...
Insect of the week (June 9, 2025)
Our insect of the week for June 9, 2025 is the horse bot fly – Gasterophilus intestinalis de Geer, 1776 [DIPTERA: Oestridae]. This species is found worldwide. It may be the stuff of nightmares (at least for horses). The specific name intestinalis gives you a...
Insect of the week (June 2, 2025)
Our insect of the week for June 2, 2025 is the clubbed mydas fly – Mydas clavatus (Drury, 1773) [DIPTERA: Mydidae]. It is native to central Illinois and was one of the first large flies which caught my attention as a young entomologist. Yes, they are large (up...
Peoria approximella (a moth named in New York for Peoria, IL). Photo of Michigan specimen courtesy Jim Vargo (used with permission).