Insect of the week (August 5, 2024)

Aug 5, 2024 | Weekly insect

Our insect of the week for August 5 is not a beetle. Surprise! For the last 3 weeks, we have been discussing beetles. If you start observing animals in central Illinois, on average about 75% of those you observe will be beetles. Yes, they are that common and diverse....
Insect of the week (July 29, 2024)

Insect of the week (July 29, 2024)

Jul 29, 2024 | Weekly insect

Our insect of the week is Phengodes fusciceps. This beetle species is classified in the family Phengodidae (also known as glowworm beetles). Both females and larvae have bio-luminescent organs. Larvae and females are predators and typically feed on millipedes. Winged...
Insect of the week (July 22, 2024)

Insect of the week (July 22, 2024)

Jul 22, 2024 | Weekly insect

Continuing our theme of beetles for the second “insect of the week,” I thought it appropriate to focus on the rainbow scarab (Phanaeus vindex). This species was described by MacLeay in 1819. Although it looks most exotic, it is a species native to...
Insect of the week (July 15, 2024)

Insect of the week (July 15, 2024)

Jul 15, 2024 | Weekly insect

Thought it might be interesting to post notes about a selected Illinois insect every week. For our first insect, I thought the one in our logo would be appropriate. The ivory-marked borer (Eburia quadrigeminata was described by Thomas Say in 1826). [He originally...