Prairie Research Institute News

INHS to host 100th Annual Meeting of the Illinois Academy of Science

Dec 5, 2007 8:00 am

INHS will host the 100th Annual Meeting of the Illinois State Academy of Science to be held on April 4-5, 2008. Academy members are invited to submit abstract abstracts of papers and posters for presentation in any of the recognized ISAS divisions. For more information on the event and submissions, please visit this website.

Gov. Rauner appoints ISWS scientist George Roadcap to Mahomet Aquifer Task Force

Dec 22, 2017 2:45 pm

Illinois State Water Survey hydrogeologist George Roadcap is among those appointed to the Mahomet Aquifer Task Force, which has been charged with protection of the Mahomet Aquifer, a primary source of drinking water for 500,000 Central Illinois residents.

INHS plant ecologist finds that many retailers sell mislabeled invasive vines

Jan 8, 2018 9:45 am

Gardeners hoping to celebrate the beauty of American bittersweet — a native vine that produces orange berries in the fall and is used for wreaths — may be unwittingly buying an invasive bittersweet instead. That’s because many Midwestern retailers are selling oriental bittersweet with labels misidentifying it as the native plant, researchers report.

Team is scaling up biochar system for Fulton County field test

Feb 28, 2020 2:00 pm

Illinois Sustainable Technology Center scientist Wei Zheng and colleagues are creating a designer carbon-based biochar that captures phosphorus from tile drain runoff water and recycles it in soils to improve crop growth.

The Biology of Small Mammals published

Mar 4, 2010 5:30 pm

Dr. Joseph F. Merritt, INHS Mammalogist, is the author of The Biology of Small Mammals, published by the Johns Hopkins University Press. The book covers small mammals, which are defined as weighing 11 pounds and under. The book, 336 pages long, also includes black and white photographs and illustrations. It can be ordered from amazon.com.

Casting a net for conservation

Mar 22, 2017 8:00 am

Go Behind the Scenes with graduate research assistant Benjamin Williams as he catches ducks and records data along the Wabash River.

Wetlands geologist Eric Plankell among 16 honored with Chancellor's Staff Excellence Award

Apr 2, 2025 12:00 pm

Sixteen academic professionals and civil service staff members have received the Chancellor’s Staff Excellence Award recognizing exceptional performance at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. A CSEA committee recommends finalists, who are approved by Illinois Chancellor Robert Jones.

Cool, wet May ends wet spring

Jun 2, 2020 9:00 am

May was much colder and moderately wetter than average across Illinois, bringing an end to a wet climatological spring season. The preliminary statewide average May temperature was 60.5 degrees, 2.2 degrees below the 30-year normal and the 39th coldest on record. Preliminary statewide average total precipitation for May was 5.41 inches, 0.81 inches wetter than the 30-year normal and the 25th wettest on record.

Asian Carp barrier catches turtle

Jun 14, 2012 8:00 am

A barrier designed to prevent Asian Carp from reaching Lake Michigan had the unintended consequence of catching a snapping turtle. This was the first known instance of an animal trapped in the mesh and the turtle was released unharmed. When first installed, migrating turtles were completely blocked by the carp barrier. Subsequent gates installed along the length of the barrier allow turtles to migrate through. The location of the gates was based on the multi-year radio telemetry study conducted by INHS herpetologists on the endangered Blandings' Turtle and other turtles in the area.

ISWS Engineer is Selected to Serve on New FEMA Council

Jul 17, 2014 3:45 pm

Sally McConkey, Water Resources Engineer at the Illinois State Water Survey, has been selected as a member of the newly created Technical Mapping Advisory Council for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as directed by Congress.

Scientific Models Use Weather Data to Predict State's West Nile Virus Infection Rates

Aug 4, 2016 7:15 pm

As this year's West Nile virus (WNV) transmission season begins, researchers from the University of Illinois have made available forecasting models they created for each of the nine climate areas of Illinois to predict mosquito infection rates on a weekly basis. Mosquitoes transmit WNV to humans.

Wendy Schelsky named 2024-25 Emerging Research Leader

Aug 13, 2024 10:45 am

This prestigious award acknowledges researchers who show exceptional promise in their field and are positioned to significantly contribute to advancing health sciences. Wendy's selection for this honor highlights the importance of her work and the impact it has already made. It also reflects the high quality of research and innovation happening at PRI.This prestigious award acknowledges researchers who show exceptional promise in their field and are positioned to significantly contribute to advancing health sciences. Wendy's selection for this honor highlights the importance of her work and the impact it has already made. It also reflects the high quality of research and innovation happening at PRI.

Heavy rains wash away mosquito larvae, but mosquitoes repopulate standing waters

Aug 16, 2011 8:00 am

Entomologist Rich Lampman was interviewed by Chicago's CBS affiliate WBBM about mosquitoes. According to Lampman heavy rains in northern Illinois in July may have flushed out larvae in standing water. Unfortunately, any puddles left over will be colonized by new mosquitoes. Dumping standing water every couple of days can help keep mosquito numbers down.

It's mussel time!

Aug 30, 2018 8:30 am

Asian carp still doing well

Sep 7, 2010 9:00 am

Thad Cook, of the Illinois River Biological Station, took an impressive photo of carp that appeared in a web log of the Peoria Journal Star.

Cowbirds aren't just deadbeat parents

Sep 10, 2015 8:00 am

A new study from INHS graduate student Matthew Louder, and INHS Ornithologists Wendy Schelsky, Jeff Hoover, and Amber Albores found that female cowbirds monitor nest success of their offspring and will lay their eggs in the most successful host nests. This, combined with previous work by Jeff Hoover and colleagues, shows that female cowbirds aren't just abandoning their eggs in a host nest. Nests that fledged cowbirds were much more likely to be parasitized by cowbirds again than those that failed to fledge cowbirds.

A warm, dry September extended summer in Illinois

Oct 4, 2021 8:15 am

The statewide average temperature of 69.4 degrees in September was 2.6 degrees above average, but the humidity was lower than in the previous months.

Hongxu Zhou adjusts woodchip bioreactor equipment in the lab

Study combines woodchips and biochar to clean water of pharmaceuticals, nutrients

Oct 21, 2024 10:45 am

In a new University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign study, PRI and ACES researchers show how a simple system using woodchips and a bit of glorified sawdust can dramatically reduce nitrogen, phosphorus, and multiple common drugs in wastewater.

Soybean Aphids setting up for potential comeback

Oct 25, 2011 8:00 am

INHS Entomologist David Voegtlin sampled soybean aphids this fall and found levels that could lead to higher densities of aphids on crops in 2012. In 2009, fall densities were extremely high and fungal infection wiped out large numbers of the aphids. This fall's lower humidity and lower density of aphids could lead to greater survival of overwintering aphids.

Making history on the mighty Mississippi

Nov 5, 2006 4:30 pm

El Niño and the Midwest

Nov 19, 2015 2:15 pm

What effect could El Niño have on winter in the Midwest and the rest of the United States? Find out on the new El Niño webpage from the Midwestern Regional Climate Center (MRCC), located at the Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS). (http://mrcc.isws.illinois.edu/mw_climate/elNino/index.jsp)

North American checklist identifies the fungus among us

Nov 28, 2018 9:15 am

A new checklist of North American fungi published this month in the journal Mycologia “provides the basis for understanding our national mycoflora,” according to mycologist Andrew Miller, who led the effort to compile the data.

INHS macro-invertebratologist Steve Taylor illuminates the unique world of caves

Dec 2, 2010 2:45 pm

INHS Macro-Invertebrate Scientist and cave maggot namesake, Steve Taylor was featured in an article from the Illinois News Bureau. Read about his "more than two decades plumbing the mysteries of cave life," in articles by the U of I News Bureau and Physorg.com.

Big temperature swings in November, wrapping up an otherwise mild fall

Dec 8, 2022 2:15 pm

Temperature swings in November were extreme in Illinois with slightly cooler than normal temperatures overall, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the University of Illinois’ Illinois State Water Survey. Meanwhile, most of the state had drier than normal conditions, which extended the dry streak in summer and fall. Near to above normal snowfall fell across the state.

New fungal infection found in endangered Eastern Massasauga population

Dec 16, 2011 8:00 am

The long-term monitoring project of the endangered Eastern Massasauga population at Carlyle Lake has revealed a new species of fungal infection, which causes severe facial swelling, disfiguration and ultimately death. INHS Affiliate Dr. Matt Allender (University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine) is spearheading research on the fungus along with INHS Herpetologists Michael Dreslik, Sarah Wylie, Chris Phillips and Dan Wylie. By studying this infection they hope to develop methods for treatment and prevention.

INHS contributes to 70th annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference

Dec 18, 2009 2:45 pm

The 70th annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference was held in Springfield, IL during the first part of December 2009. Several INHS researchers, such as Dr. Steve Havera, Dr. John Epifanio and affiliate Dr. Jeff Brawn. The co-chair of the conference was Dr. Epifano, who said that more than 650 people were in attendance. Of those in attendance, 240 were students who had the option of attending any of the four sessions offered on networking, working in groups or mentoring.

Lice evolve faster than their primate hosts

Jan 8, 2014 8:00 am

INHS Psocodea expert Kevin Johnson and post doctoral researcher Julie Allen led a recently published study comparing the rate of evolution in primates with that in their louse parasites. This study is the first to look at the pace of molecular change across the genomes of different groups. Read LA Times article.

50 million-year-old fossil assassin bug has unusually well-preserved genitalia

Jan 19, 2021 10:45 am

The fossilized insect is tiny and its genital capsule, called a pygophore, is roughly the length of a grain of rice. It is remarkable, scientists say, because the bug’s physical characteristics – from the bold banding pattern on its legs to the internal features of its genitalia – are clearly visible and well-preserved. Recovered from the Green River Formation in present-day Colorado, the fossil represents a new genus and species of predatory insects known as assassin bugs.

Preventing Roadblocks: PRI Keeps Illinois on the Straight and Narrow

Jan 31, 2024 8:00 am

With the help of Prairie Research Institute scientists, transportation agencies are building Illinois roads in compliance with state and federal regulations, while preserving Illinois’ physical, biological, natural, and cultural resources.

ISTC scientists visit the UK to collaborate on emerging contaminant research

Feb 11, 2020 2:15 pm

Corn rootworm management webinar

Feb 25, 2014 8:00 am

INHS Behavioral Entomologist Joe Spencer presented a talk on "Rootworm Biology and Behavior" in the webinar "Corn rootworm Management in the Transgenic Era." Over 300 people attended this webinar, archived at the link below.

Groundwater Awareness Week: March 10-16, 2013

Mar 1, 2013 2:45 am

In the spring, just before peak water use season begins, is a good time to check that your water well is working properly and that your water is safe to drink, according to Walt Kelly, interim head of the Center for Groundwater Science at the Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS), University of Illinois.

A wild February ended an otherwise mild winter

Mar 2, 2021 8:00 am

The cold season came with a vengeance in February, bringing bitter cold and snow across the state. The preliminary statewide average February temperature was 20.0 degrees, 11.1 degrees below the 1991–2020 average.

Become a citizen scientist for pollinators with University of Illinois

Mar 6, 2019 4:45 pm

University of Illinois Extension is calling all lovers of bees, butterflies, and other pollinators that keep our crops and gardens growing to join scientists in tracking their distribution and habitat use across the state, from the comfort of your home, school, or community garden.

Illinois Natural Areas Inventory discovers new natural areas

Mar 14, 2011 2:30 pm

Illinois Natural History Survey scientists have spent the past three years evaluating thousands of sites across Illinois to assess their quality. Biologists have discovered approximately 185 more of these "beautiful little gems," as Randy Nyboer calls them, which were missed during the original inventory in 1978. The Inventory is used by the Nature Preserves Commission to determine protection and management of our remaining natural areas.

The extinction of the passenger pigeon

Mar 25, 2014 8:00 am

On Sept. 1, 1914, Martha, the last living passenger pigeon, died at the Cincinnati Zoo. This seemingly abundant bird had been decimated by hunting, leaving them vulnerable to other predators. Following the opening of an exhibit at the Harvard Museum of Natural History, INHS Ornithologist Kevin Johnson, who reconstructed the family tree of the passenger pigeon, was interviewed.

Freshwater coastal erosion alters global carbon budget

Mar 27, 2019 1:30 pm

Shoreline erosion can transform freshwater wetlands from carbon-storage pools to carbon sources, according to a new study led by Illinois State Geological Survey researchers.

New study reveals evolutionary patterns of grasshoppers, crickets, and katydids over the past 300 million years

Apr 8, 2015 8:00 am

INHS Orthoperterist and Paleontologist Sam Heads was co-author on a recently published study determining the evolutionary relationships of the grasshoppers, katydids, and crickets. The current study is based on genetics rather than morphological characteristics.

Illinois April temperatures were a roller coaster of highs and lows

May 2, 2023 10:15 am

April gave Illinoisans a taste of summer in the first half of the month, only to revert to winter-like conditions in the last week of the month. Overall, average temperatures were slightly above normal in April and precipitation was nearly 1.5 inches below normal with a record-setting dry week, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the Illinois State Water Survey.

Where the wild turkeys aren't

May 12, 2017 8:00 am

The wild turkeys have not been cooperating with avian ecologist Christine Parker as she attempts to catch, weigh, measure, and fit them with micro-GPS units to learn about their habits.

ISWS Staff Will Measure Private Wells in McHenry County

May 17, 2011 12:00 am

The Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS) will contact well owners in McHenry County in May and throughout the summer for permission to measure water levels in wells as part of a multi-year investigation to support future policies for managing water resources in the county.

Deer ticks more adaptable than previously known

Jun 28, 2011 2:00 pm

Deer ticks, the host species for Lyme disease, feed on a variety of animals, with white footed mice (a forest species) as the main reservoir for the disease causing bacteria. INHS Wildlife Epidemiologist Nohra Mateus-Pinilla, graduate student Jennifer Rydzewski and Richard Warner (NRES) found that the highest prevalence of infection at Allerton Park was from the prairie, with prairie voles as the reservoir. "What's exciting about the new findings is that we are dealing with potentially new mechanisms of disease transmission that we just have not explored and perhaps we do not understand," Mateus-Pinilla said. "We need to think outside of what we already know about Lyme disease transmission."

14th Illinois River Conference – Working Locally-Reaching Globally

Jul 29, 2013 2:00 am

“Working Locally-Reaching Globally”, the theme for the 14th Biennial Governor's Conference on the Management of the Illinois River System, offers a look at the river system, the local work being done to protect it, and its place on a global scale. The conference will be held on October 1-3, 2013 at Peoria's Four Points by Sheraton.

July brought sweetcorn…and floods, drought, heat, smoke, and tornadoes

Aug 3, 2023 1:45 pm

In one month, Illinoisans experienced severe heat, lingering drought and flash floods, strong storms, and poor air quality. This was not your typical July, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the Illinois State Water Survey.

Teamwork and expertise drive success with major decarbonization projects

Aug 10, 2021 10:30 am

From 2018 to 2020, ISTC submitted over 200 proposals for technology R&D projects, winning more than 60 percent of those projects and bringing in more than $84 million in external funding. Major partners include the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the state of Illinois.

Negative image aside, Asian carp are a boon

Aug 18, 2011 8:00 am

Although there is widespread concern about the spread of Asian Carp, for some people, they represent a new industry and economic boon. Asian Carp harvest has increased thirtyfold in the past ten years. In 2010, a fisheries company in Thomson IL sold 20 million pounds of Asian carp to consumers globally. According to Greg Sass, director of the INHS Illinois River Biological Station, that while Asian Carp represent 80% of fish in parts of the Illinois River, scientific research has not yet established a direct connection between the presence of Asian Carp and the decline of native species.

Water Survey researchers tracked weather changes during the eclipse

Sep 14, 2017 3:00 pm

An Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS) team documented the eclipse at the Dixon Springs Agricultural Center in Simpson, Illinois, to learn how the atmosphere responded to rapid changes in solar radiation as the moon blocked the sun. At the same time, another team recorded climate conditions every 10 seconds at 19 Illinois locations.

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