Revis Ridge Field Trip
On Saturday, April 27, 2013, we visited the Revis Ridge Nature Preserve (near Springfield, Illinois). Here are some of the photos Mark DuBois took during the excursion. To view more, click on any photo. You will be taken to Mark’s Flickr site where you can view...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...Illinois Insect – Soldier Beetle
This photo of a soldier beetle (Chauliognathus pennsylvanicus) was taken by Gordon Adams. Soldier beetles are members of the beetle family Cantharidae and the adults are usually found on flowers.Illinois Insect – Chinese Mantid
This photo of a Chinese Mantid (Tenodera aridifolia) was taken by Gordon Adams (a member of our group). There are roughly 2,300 described species of the insect order Mantodea. This particular species was introduced into the area near Philadelphia around 1900 and has...Illinois Insect – Large Milkweed Bug
This photograph og a large milkweed bug (Oncopeltus fasciatus) was taken by our member Gordon Adams. Members of this family (Lygaeidae) of the insect order Heteroptera are commonly called seed bugs. As yu can see, they are conspiculously marked. Typically, such...Illinois Insect – Great Spangled Fritillary
This Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele) was photographed by our member Gordon Adams. This species is typically found in open areas or near the edge of forested areas. It can be common at times (depending on the climate conditions in a given year).Illinois Insect – Giant Swallowtail
This Giant Swallowtail butterfly (Papilio cresphontes) was photographed by Gordon Adams (a member of our group). Butterflies of this species are the largest butterflies found in Illinois. They are typically encountered in woods and nearby open areas.Illinois Insect – Regal Fritillary
This photograph of a Regal Fritillary (Speyeria idalia) was taken by our member Gordon Adams. This butterfly species is typically found in prairie or other open environments (more often in sandy regions). This is a state enangered species. More information can be...Illinois Insect – Dragonfly
This dragonfly (commonly called a twelve-spotted skimmer – Libellula pulchella) was photographed by Gordon Adams (a member of our group). The immature stages of dragonflies (and related damselflies) are aquatic and breath by means of gills. The young feed on a...
Peoria approximella (a moth named in New York for Peoria, IL). Photo of Michigan specimen courtesy Jim Vargo (used with permission).