Beneficial Insects

Blog Posts

7 terms to know about invasive species (and some to avoid)

April 26, 2024

Effective communication in invasive species management relies on consistent and accurate terminology. Confusion is a problem when terms are not...

It’s almost May; is it time to stop mowing?

April 26, 2024

Did you notice people’s lawns getting a little long last May? No Mow May has become a popular way to help pollinators. No Mow May began in the...

A plant of many colors: Virginia bluebell

March 15, 2024

With the arrival of warmer weather in the spring, we start to see signs of new life in our landscapes. Birds begin singing, our landscapes start...

Periodical cicadas in Illinois in 2024. A black cicada with orange wings and red eyes rests on a green leaf

The cicadas are coming! Periodical cicadas in Illinois in 2024

February 22, 2024

Can you hear them? Probably not yet, but soon, Illinois will be awash in the songs of periodical cicadas. This year (2024) is a big year for...

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News Releases

April 24, 2024

Capture spring’s beauty at Photos & Forbs 
PONTIAC, Ill. – Blooming ephemerals are filling the understory of forests with eye-catching colors this time of year. Virginia Bluebells, Bloodroot, and Red trillium thrive in spring weather before trees grow out their summer leaves. Now is the perfect time to admire their full beauty, and you...

January 24, 2024

Check-in your bee hotel to support pollinator research
URBANA, Ill. — Bee hotels buzz with activity, but is it the right kind? A graduate student at University of Illinois is researching bees and needs help, in the form of donated used bee hotels, from the public to understand if these man-made nests are helping or harming bee populations in...

Orange and brown butterfly landing on an orange flower with text overlay reading Illinois Pollinators.

May 10, 2023

Discover how to increase Illinois pollinators through thoughtful garden design
URBANA, Ill. — Pollinators are vital to both plant and human life on Earth. In recent years, pollinator populations have declined dramatically, which has prompted an immediate need for their protection and perpetuation on the landscape. ...

September 30, 2022

Can insects protect my garden ecosystem better than chemicals?
by Jan Phipps, Edgar County Master Gardener There are many beneficial insects in the garden that prey on other insects. Several great names indicate their function: robber flies, ambush bugs, and assassin bugs. The following are a few of the predatory insects with which you want to...

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Videos

Rediscovering Illinois Dragonflies and Damselflies

From Dragonflies to Damselflies, Illinois Extension is here to help.

Join University of Illinois Extension and Amy Janik of the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center in this info-packed Wilderness Wednesday webinar sponsored...

Illinois Native Pollinators

When it comes to pollination, honey bees get a majority of the attention. However, many insects play a role in pollination. listen to University of Illinois Extension Educator Ken Johnson as he discusses native pollinators. Ken will discuss different native pollinators and how to make your...