Resources

This page contains resources that I may mention during my classes. You should be able to download copies of these PDF files. I recommend keeping electronic versions (instead of printing them). Note that most links will open in a new browser window/ tab.

iNaturalist

Records (and photos of insects we encounter at the Sun Foundation will be tracked at our iNaturalilst central Illinois insects project.

PDF Files for Students

• Some Illinois Entomologists (with some interesting factoids as well)
• Some environments we visit at the Sun Foundation
  • Oak-hickory environment and associated insects
  • Pleuston environment and associated insects
  • Pond environment and associated insects
  • Prairie environment and associated insects
• Major insect orders (these are the “big four”)
  • Coleoptera (beetles)
  • Diptera (true flies)
  • Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths)
  • Hymenoptera (ants, bees, and wasps)
• Another major order (not one of the “big four’)
  • Hemiptera (true bugs)
• Why watch insects (also called bug watching). Here are a few examples of engineered projects inspired by insect behavior.

Field Notes Forms

• Fillable PDF file (you can download this, update it with your planned trip notes and print multiple copies) – this will open in a new tab (you can right-click and download).
• Online Google form for you to record your observations to directly help our Central Illinois Insect group. This will also open in a new browser tab.

Collecting and Preserving

• How to pin butterflies and moths
• How to pin and label insects (from Oregon State University). If you need to print this page, here is a PDF file [sometimes the service provided by their site does not work].
• Pinning block use and many other helpful resources from Purdue University
• Protecting your insect collection (carpet beetles can rapidly cause major damage to an insect collection).

Useful websites

• AntWeb.org (good place to learn more about ants and their classification)
• BugGuide – a lot of useful information about insects
• BumblebeeWatch – useful site tracking bumblebees
• Butterflies and Moths of North America – collecting, storing, and sharing information about Lepidoptera in North America.
• Catalog of Life – in case you are curious about all the living organisms on earth
• Central Illinois Insects – local entomologists (we meet once each month and take field trips throughout central Illinois).
• Cicada Mania – want to learn more about cicadas (not just the periodical ones which emerged in 2024)
• Cicada Safari – another useful site tracking cicadas
• Common names of insects (this is a searchable database of over 2,000 recognized common names of insects). One can also download a PDF file of the entire list.
• Diptera.org (flies – taxonomic database)
• Encyclopedia of Life (insect page)
• Firefly Atlas (citizen science site about fireflies)
• Great Sunflower Project (all about pollinators)
• Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS) discussion of research on Illinois insects
• Insects Unlocked Flickr photo stream. If you think insects are dull and boring, you might want to avoid viewing this photo stream of insects. I believe all images are public domain (obviously you should check first before using for commercial purposes).
• Lost Ladybug Project (project is trying to determine why native species are so rare these days)
• Journal of Orthoptera Research (for those who want to learn a lot more about Orthoptera). Online issues are free to view.
• Moth Photographers Group (digital guide to moth identification)
• Odonata Central (citizen scientist site improving our understanding of the distribution of Odonata)
• Orthoptera species file (good starting point to learn a lot about grasshoppers, crickets and their relatives)
• Tree of Life (insects initial page). If you ever wondered what was related to what, this is the site for you.

Suppliers of Entomological Equipment

I am often asked where to buy entomological related supplies. Since Bioquip went out of business, this is becoming a major issue. I have found these sites (and purchased from some of them). I am certainly not endorsing any of these vendors. I am simply making you aware of their existence. Let the buyer beware is sound advice and I heartily agree with that. If you encounter any issues with any of these vendors, please let me know and I will remove them from the list. This list is also not very complete. If you know of a vendor and would like me to add them to this list, please notify me as well. These links will open in a new browser tab.

• Ecology Supplies
• PinIt Entomological Resources

Organizations

These are organizations that I am a member of. In some cases, a retired member, but a member none the less. I have found these most helpful over the years. Yes, there are many other organizations. I encourage all reading this to consider joining professional entomological and similar scientific organizations. Networking benefits alone are well worth the cost.

• American Entomological Society – Philadelphia, PA, member
• Central States Entomological Society – Lawrence, KS, retired member
• Dragonfly Society of the Americas – , Gainesville, FL, member
• Entomological Society of Ontario – Guelph, ON, retired member
• International Society of Hymenopterists – global network, member
• International Union for the Study of Social Insects – North American Section – Baton Rouge, LA – retired member
• North American Butterfly Association – Morristown, NJ, member
• Royal Entomological Society – London, UK, Fellow
• Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation – Portland, OR, member

Backyard Habitat Resources

• Creating pollinator gardens and wildlife sanctuaries

Games & More

I developed these games to help engage participants in various activities. They are placed below mostly for my use. If others find them helpful, please let me know. Keep in mind the focus is on insects one will encounter in central Illinois. Each link below will open in a new browser tab. These are “mostly working” games. If you encounter issues with the user interface or have questions about a given answer, please ask me.

• Caterpillar Game – I use this game as a start to various presentations.
• Clean Water quiz – I use this game when discussing insects and aquatic environments.
• Is this insect found in Illinois – I use this when showcasing some of the gaudy and unexpected species found in our state.
• Insect morphology terms as a quiz – how well can you identify selected body parts on an insect?
• Pollinator quiz – I use this game when discussing pollinators. Obviously, I bring prizes.

I am trying to develop a better understanding of how people I encounter in central Illinois view insects. I already have suspicions, but I have put together a brief survey. I will be using this at a number of my talks beginning in 2026. If you feel so inclined, feel free to provide me with your preferred synonym for insect. If your term is already in the database, it will just add to the overall tally for that word.