Insect of the week (August 12, 2024)
Our insect of the week for August 12, 2024 is the Polyphemus moth (Antheraea polyphemus). I htought it was time to feature another group of insects. This species is classified in the order Lepidoptera, family Saturniidae). This species was described by Pieter Cramer...Insect of the week (August 5, 2024)
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)
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)
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)
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...Cold Adapted Insects
I decided to make a separate recording of the presentation I gave to our group on Feb. 18, 2017. This is a slightly shorter version. Cold Adapted Insects from Mark DuBois on Vimeo. Please use the comments section if you have questions about this...November, 2016 meeting
We met at the home of Frank Hitchell on November 19, 2016 for our final meeting of the year. We had a “show and tell” session where members brought photos and specimens to discuss. Here is a quick video overview. November, 2016 Entomology meeting from Mark...WTVP Interview with Frank
Frank was recently interviewed by WTVP. We thought you might be interested in viewing the copy posted on YouTube.Illinois Insect – Paper Wasp
This paper wasp (Polistes fuscatus) was photographed by our member Gordon Adams. Paper wasps are members of the insect family Vespidae in the order Hymenoptera. Their nests consist of a horizontal comb of paper cells supported by a slender stalk. These wasps make...
Peoria approximella (a moth named in New York for Peoria, IL). Photo of Michigan specimen courtesy Jim Vargo (used with permission).