Insect of the week (November 11, 2024)
Our insect of the week for November 11, 2024 is the wasp Pelecinus polyturator. [HYMENOPTERA: Pelicinide]. This species was described by Dru Drury (a British entomologist) in 1773. Yes, just a bit before we decided enough was enough with the taxation without...
Insect of the week (November 4, 2024)
Insect of the week (November 4, 2024). Instead of supplying all the details on our featured insect of the week, this week, I present you with a puzzler. First one to correctly identify the insect gets a prize (you can pick it up at our next meeting – November...
Insect of the week (October 28, 2024)
Insect of the week (October 28, 2024) is the eyed elater – Alaus oculatus (Linnaeus, 1758). This click beetle (COLEOPTERA: Elateridae) is not frequently found in central Illinois. Some adults reach nearly 2 inches in length. It is thought the false eyes serve to...
Insect of the week (October 21, 2024)
Insect of the week (October 21, 2024) is the periodical cicada, Magicicada septendecim (Linnaeus, 1758) (HEMIPTERA: Cicadidae). As you may already know, this is one of three periodical cicada species found in the Peoria area. Further south (Springfield and more...
Insect of the week (October 14, 2024)
Insect of the week (October 14, 2024) is the northern mole cricket – Neocurtilla hexadactyla (Perty, 1832). This native Orthopteran species is placed in the family Gryllotalpidae. The specimen in this photograph was collected by our former member, Gordon Adams,...
Insect of the week (October 7, 2024)
Insect of the week (October 7, 2024) is Cotesia congregata. These are the wasp parasites that Na’im brought along with the caterpillar to our entomology pot luck on September 28. This wasp species is a member of the Hymenopteran family Bracondiae. It was...
Insect of the week (September 30, 2024)
As summer draws to a close (the vernal equinox wasn’t that long ago, was it), I thought it appropriate to focus on another butterfly. This time, Euptoieta claudia, the variegated fritillary. This species was described by Cramer in 1775. It is known from...
Insect of the week (September 23, 2024)
We return to the beetles again this week and focus on the family Brentidae. Specifically, the beetle Arrhenodes minutus. Common name is oak timberworm. Larvae often tunnel in oak and elm trees and this species can be a pest. This insect is a known vector of the...
Insect of the week (September 16, 2024)
This week, we turn our attention to the insect order Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths). Our featured insect is Zerene cesonia, the dogface sulphur butterfly. It is classified in the family Pieridae. This butterfly is often found along roadsides. Adults...
Peoria approximella (a moth named in New York for Peoria, IL). Photo of Michigan specimen courtesy Jim Vargo (used with permission).