Beneficial Insects

Events
More Events

Blog Posts
A carpenter bee on a beebalm flower
Bees, Wasps, and Hornets
Everyone loves seeing an adorable bee, covered in pollen, descending into a flower for another helping. Native bees — like many other animal...
sphinx moth
Supporting pollinators around the clock with native plants
Most people think of bees and butterflies when they think of pollinators. However, many plants receive visits from pollinators in the evening and...
least skipper on swamp milkweed
Native grasses support skipper butterflies
Happy National Pollinator Week! This week especially we focus on the importance of pollinators in our local ecosystems and our role in supporting...
A closeup of a light brown butterfly
From observation to conservation through community science
It’s July 19, 2023. Standing at a trailhead within Skokie Lagoons, I was armed with close-focus binoculars and a clipboard, about to embark on a...
More Blogs

News Releases
DNR Resource Trunk kits with contents shown
IDNR Resource Trunks available throughout southernmost Illinois
ANNA, Ill. – Teachers, homeschool groups, youth leaders, and curious learners across southern Illinois now have access to a unique, hands-on way to explore the natural world thanks to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Through a special partnership,...
a bee perched on a pink flower
Available prairie seed mixes may fall short for pollinators
URBANA, Ill. — As populations of bees and butterflies decline in the Midwest, native prairie restoration becomes crucial. A new Prairie Research Institute study found, however, that many commercial seed mixes used to conserve and restore prairies may not have enough diversity or spring flowering...
diverse group of young people gardening
Spring into gardening with tools and tips at upcoming gardening programs
URBANA, Ill. — Spring is near, and your green thumb is ripe for gardening. Whether you are a seasoned gardener or just getting started, growing nutrient-rich vegetables, fresh fruits, and aromatic herbs is more than just a way to fill your plate; it is like a badge of honor. Gardening...
More News

Videos
Mason Bees in Illinois

While the honey bee may be one of the most important pollinators, another pollinator species, the mason bee, also works hard to move pollen from plants within our landscape. Erin Garrett, University of Illinois Extension Energy and Environmental Stewardship Educator, provides information on the...
More Videos

Staff