blog posts

• Making history on the mighty Mississippi

  Nov 5, 2006 4:30 pm1 views

• Dr. Hoover's research on "Retaliatory mafia behavior by a parasitic cowbird favors host" featured in PNAS

  Mar 5, 2007 5:00 pm13 views

• Taxonomists stand up and count your species

  Mar 27, 2007 10:15 am2 views

• INHS Scientist Mark J. Wetzel appointed Associate Editor of Megadrilogica

  May 2, 2007 8:00 am1 views

• Illinois Chapter of the Wildlife Society Honors Dr. Stephen P. Havera

  May 18, 2007 12:00 am3 views

• INHS researcher Chris Taylor profiled on Environmental Almanac

  Jun 29, 2007 8:00 am0 views

  Dr. Christopher A. Taylor was profiled by Rob Kantor during the 28 June 2007 episode of the Environmental Almanac. The status of crayfish in Illinois was also discussed in the episode.

• INHS hosts "An Evening of Entomology"

  Aug 9, 2007 8:00 am1 views

• Tari Tweddale to give lecture at GIS Day

  Oct 24, 2007 2:30 pm0 views

  Tari Tweddale, GIS/Remote Sensing Specialist and Illinois Gap Analysis Project Coordinator at the Illinois Natural History Survey, will present a seminar called, "GIS in Conservation Biology: Modeling Vertebrate Species Distribution in the Illinois GAP Analysis Project " at GIS Day at Illinois State University. The full line-up of presenters can be found in this Word document which will download to your computer.

• INHS referenced in Environmental Almanac blog

  Nov 16, 2007 12:00 am0 views

  Rob Kanter discusses bats in his November 1, 2007 entry to the Environmental Almanac blog, a University of Illinois Environmental Council project. Links to INHS Reports discussing bats and an INHS image were featured. 

• Dr. John Marlin's Mud to Parks Program tackles Pekin Landfill

  Nov 16, 2007 12:00 am2 views

  The Mud to Parks Program took another step forward last month as dredged earth from the Lower Peoria Lake was used to cap off the Pekin Landfill. Dr. John Marlin, senior scientist at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources' Waste Management and Research Center, oversees the program and discussed the new developments with several news outlets.

• Dr. Richard Sparks recognized by The Nature Conservancy

  Nov 16, 2007 12:00 am25 views

  Dr. Richard Sparks, the Director of Research for the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center, received the Illinois River Valley Conservation Award from the Nature Conservancy on October 2, 2007 in recognition for his work advancing the science and management of large rivers in Illinois and around the world. For more information, visit this website.

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

  Dec 5, 2007 8:00 am1 views

  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.

• INHS kit makes USDA news

  Jan 4, 2008 8:00 am0 views

  The Emerald Ash Borer Kit offered by INHS was featured in the December 28, 2007 News & Events section of the USDA's National Invasive Species Information Center website.

• Herons persist in Chicago wetlands despite exposure to banned chemicals

  Jan 16, 2008 8:00 am0 views

  Results of a study led by INHS wildlife toxicologist Jeff Levengood were published in the latest issue of the Journal of Great Lakes Research. The study reports that Chicago-area herons are still being exposed to banned pesticides.

• William Anderson receives Award of Merit

  Jan 17, 2008 12:00 am0 views

  William L. Anderson was the recipient of the 2007 Professional Award of Merit from the North Central Section of The Wildlife Society on December 5th at the Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference held in Madison, Wisconsin. The Wildlife Society’s Professional Award of Merit is given periodically to outstanding wildlife professionals, who live in the eight-state North-Central Section, for their contribution to scientific knowledge and their leadership over a period of several years. Read more about the award press releases from the DNR and the Illinois Natural History Survey.

• "Life in the Soil" a must-read for naturalists and gardeners

  Feb 7, 2008 12:00 am2 views

  Author James Nardi, adjunct scientist with INHS, discusses his new book "Life in the Soil: A Guide for Naturalists and Gardeners" in a February 7, 2008 article published in the Anchorage Daily News. The well-organized book features information on a wide array of animals living in the soil beneath our feet. Readers will find taxonomic data, information on food web interactions, and species impact for gardeners. A December 20, 2007 Washington Post article discusses the book and its release. His book is available for purchase at Amazon.com.

• Preventing the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease in deer

  Feb 8, 2008 8:00 am0 views

  Nohra Mateus-Pinilla, epidemiologist with INHS, recently spoke with Eilee Heikenen-Weiss for the Eight Forty-Eight program on Chicago Public Radio. The show discusses Chronic Wasting Disease in deer and DNR efforts to sample populations and prevent the spread of the disease. View the transcript or listen the audio* for the January 17, 2008 episode. * Warning: Contains graphic descriptions of animal dissection

• Contaminated sediments affecting wetland mice

  Feb 21, 2008 12:00 am0 views

  Jeff Levengood and Ed Heske recently published an article entitled "Heavy metal exposure, reproductive activity, and demographic patterns in white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) inhabiting a contaminated floodplain wetland" in Volume 389, Issues 2-3 of Science of the Total Environment.The article discusses the effects of using contaminated sediments from Lake DePue, Illinois to create a wetland that is home to white-footed mice. View the Science of the Total Environment article at ScienceDirect. Accessible through subscription only.

• Illinois Natural History Survey Chief to retire

  Feb 21, 2008 12:00 am0 views

  David Thomas, Natural History Survey Chief since 1997, will retire on February 29, 2008. View the complete press release here.

• Survey scientists researching moist-soil resources for waterfowl

  Feb 21, 2008 12:00 am0 views

  Natural History Survey scientists, Joshua Stafford, Aaron Yetter, Chris Hine, Randy Smith, and Michelle Horath have been continuing the moist-soil research of Frank Bellrose from the Forbes Biological Station and F. C. Bellrose Waterfowl Research Center in Havana since 2005. In an article featured in the March 2008 issue of Outdoor Illinois, the scientists discuss their research, the work of Frank Bellrose, and management issues for moist-soil habitats.

• Natural History Survey part of proposed University of Illinois unit

  Feb 21, 2008 12:30 pm0 views

  During his February 20, 2008 State of the State and Budget Address, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich proposed a plan to merge the Illinois Natural History Survey, Geologic Survey, Water Survey and Waste Management and Resource Center into a new University of Illinois unit, the Institute for Natural Sciences and Sustainability. The proposed plan would remove the Surveys from the Department of Natural Resources effective July 1, 2008. More information about this proposal is available from the University of Illinois News Bureau, State Journal-Register, Prairie State Outdoor, News-Gazette, and The Pantagraph.

• Bumblebee populations declining

  Feb 22, 2008 8:00 am0 views

  The bumblebee crisis was discussed in a February 21, 2008 post to the North Carolina State University Insect Museum blog. The article discusses what factors are contributing to the bumblebee's decline and mentions research done by Solter labs. Lee Solter is an Associate Scientist and Insect Pathology Research Leader with the Illinois Natural History Survey.

• Winter tips for bird feeders

  Feb 25, 2008 12:00 am0 views

  Christopher Whelan, an avian biologist with the Illinois Natural History Survey, recently offered some tips for keeping overwintering birds in your yard. The tips were featured in the Like an Eagle-Soar blog and were offered through the National Wildlife Association.

• Winter bald eagle count a new record

  Feb 25, 2008 8:00 am0 views

  In an article published February 23, 2008 in The Daily Journal, Survey scientist Randy Nyboer discusses the this year's record bald eagle count. Though the count is unfinished, it has already surpassed previous records. Visit this website to view the complete article.

• New director starts May 1, 2008

  Mar 4, 2008 12:00 am0 views

• Entomologists stifled by Indian bureaucracy

  Mar 20, 2008 12:00 am0 views

  An international collaboration to study insects in the Western Ghats mountains in southern India is stalled due to a hold up by the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA). INHS' Paul Tinerella and Michael Irwin are involved in trying to keep the project moving along. View the complete Nature article
  
  

• First comprehensive treatise on leafhopper genus Zyginama published

  Apr 17, 2008 3:30 am2 views

• Volunteers needed to establish aquatic plants in local lakes

  Apr 28, 2008 5:30 pm1 views

• Josh Stafford receives New Staff Member Award

  May 13, 2008 11:30 am3 views

• Small-mouthed salamander observed in Hancock Co.

  May 20, 2008 10:30 am5 views

• Illinois armadillo sightings becoming more frequent

  May 20, 2008 11:00 am0 views

  Dr. Joyce Hofmann discusses the possible reasons for more frequent armadillo sightings in Illinois in the May 16, 2008 On-line edition of the Journal Gazette Times-Courier. Dr. Hofmann has been keeping track of the sightings since 1999 for a manuscript she is compiling. She says that the animal, which is abundant southern Missouri, began to be sighted Southern Illinois during the late 1970s. To read the Journal Gazette article in its entirety, visit this website.

• IL endangered birds found with DDT byproducts in Chicago marshes

  May 29, 2008 2:15 pm1 views

• Statewide bird survey shows changes in bird diversity and distribution

  Jul 27, 2008 1:00 pm0 views

• INHS mycology herbarium receives Alan D. Parker Collection

  Aug 7, 2008 3:00 pm25 views

• Field Manual of Illinois Mammals available now

  Aug 14, 2008 12:00 pm92 views

• U of I Student Chapter of the Wildlife Society, advised by Dr. Nohra Mateus-Pinilla, receives honor

  Sep 17, 2008 3:30 pm0 views

  The University of Illinois Student Chapter of The Wildlife Society has been selected from over 20 universities as the 2007-2008 North Central Section Student Chapter of the year. The group is advised by INHS researcher Dr. Nohra Mateus-Pinilla, and the membership has several students associated with the Illinois Natural History Survey.

• Biologists in the Field book available for 150th celebration!

  Sep 17, 2008 3:45 pm1 views

  This book, published especially on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Illinois Natural History Survey, will be available on September 26th. The essays have been written by INHS staff and scientists giving insight into the world of science. The price is $10.00, plus shipping. Visit this website for more information about the book. For ordering information, please contact Claudia Corlett-Stahl.

• INHS researching snakes at Allerton Park

  Oct 15, 2008 3:30 pm19 views

  Jon Griesbaum, a student in Dr. Christopher Phillips lab, is studying the movements of Fox Snakes at Allerton Park using radio telemetry. The snakes that are captured and marked are then tracked for a year. Griesbaum hopes that learning more about the snakes range and behavior will enable policy makers to make informed and better choices about wild areas. Articles about Griesbaum's study appeared in the 7 September issue of the News-Gazette, the 4 September issue of Environmental Almanac, and can be found archived.

• INHS Scientists Drs. Joseph Spencer and Rich Lampman quoted in article on minute pirate bugs

  Oct 16, 2008 2:30 pm0 views

  Dr. Joseph Spencer and Dr. Rich Lampman were quoted in the Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette article talking about minute pirate bugs. The article described why the insects bite humans, and describes the insects as, ultimately, beneficial. Illinois Natural History Survey affiliate May Berenbaum was also interviewed for the article. A copy of the article, which was published in the News-Gazette on October 3, 2008, can be found on the NewsBank site.

• Decline in waterfowl documented in Pool 19

  Nov 19, 2008 2:00 pm0 views

  The Evansville Courier & Press (IN) published an article by Phil Potter on 2 November 2008 that discusses the decline in bird numbers in Pool 19 of the Mississippi River. 1958 data collected by the Illinois Natural History Survey recorded 465,200 lesser scaup visiting Pool 19, while 2001 data collected by the Illinois Natural History Survey recorded 55,53 lesser scaup. To learn more, visit the Newsbank article, "Not as many birds as in the past are landing in Pool 19."

• Small mosquitos more likely to carry dengue virus

  Nov 20, 2008 12:00 pm0 views

  Research conducted by Dr. Barry Alto, and others, found that small mosquitos are more likely to carry the dengue virus than larger mosquitos. The study fed mosquitos dengue infected blood, and found that the smaller mosquitos had a higher rate of infection when tested. This research was published in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. An article discussing the work was also picked up by UPI. Dr. Alto is the director of the Medical Entomology Program at the Illinois Natural History Survey, a division of the University of Illinois' Institute of Natural Resource Sustainability. The full text of the UPI article can be viewed on NewsBank: Small mosquitoes are likely virus carriers and the abstract of the paper can be viewed on the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene site: Size Alters Susceptibility of Vectors to Dengue Virus Infection and Dissemination

• Newest INHS Bulletin available now!

  Dec 4, 2008 2:30 pm0 views

  Our newest bulletin has recently been delivered: Contaminants in Unionid Mussels from the Confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers by INHS's own Joan Esarey, Dave Soucek and Jeff Levengood along with University of Illinois' Robert J. Hudson and Wade Wimer and SIU's Richard S. Halbrook has been assigned Bulletin 38(5): 197-214.

• Aaron Yetter elected Secretary of the North Central Section of The Wildlife Society for 2009

  Dec 17, 2008 11:30 am0 views

  Aaron Yetter has been elected Secretary of the North Central Section of The Wildlife Society for 2009. The states represented in the North Central Section, one of eight sections in the country, are: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin. More information about the mission of The Wildlife Society, and the purpose of its sections, can be found on the organization's homepage.

• INHS research makes the textbooks

  Dec 26, 2008 4:30 pm0 views

  Research by Dr. Kevin Johnson at the Illinois Natural History Survey on doves and their parasitic feather lice has been featured by a major University textbook (Evolutionary Analysis, Freeman and Herron). Four studies published by Dr. Johnson between 2003 and 2004 indicate that host shifts by these parasites are constrained by dispersal ability, and these studies were highlighted in the textbook. This research compared two different groups of dove parasites differing in their dispersal abilities. The parasites with more dispersal capability showed more evidence of hosts shifts over both short and long timespans.

• INHS field manual mentioned in Environmental Almanac

  Jan 8, 2009 12:00 pm0 views

  Rob Kanter encourages his readers to pick up a copy of Joyce Hofmann's "Field Manual of Illinois Mammals" in a December 4, 2008 article for Environmental Almanac discussing beavers. Kanter cites Hofmann's field guide as, "written with attention to the interests of readers who are not scientists" and also states that the book, "is distinguished by first-rate photographs and original color drawings." The 358 page field guide covers 60 species and is designed to fit in a pocket. Each species features a color illustration by Aleta Holt and a distribution map. Species accounts include scientific and common names, physical descriptions of all animals and their skulls (including measurements and dental formulas), comparisons with similar species, discussions of each animal’s natural history (e.g., habitat, diet, reproduction), brief descriptions of foot tracks, and notes on status and distribution in Illinois. Generalized shapes of front and hind tracks are illustrated, as are characteristic track patterns of some species. In addition, two dichotomous keys are provided for each order. The book is available by contacting the INHS Publications Office at (217) 244-2161 or at the following e-mail address: pubs-sales@inhs.uiuc.edu. Please reference "Manual 12" when ordering.

• INHS staff members give book picks in Environmental Almanac

  Jan 14, 2009 12:00 pm0 views

  Rob Kanter creates a list of environmental books in the December 11, 2008 issue of Environmental Almanac. Kanter asked some people with environmental interests if they would suggest some books for the list. Both Jamie Ellis, Illinois Natural History Survey botanist, and Dr. Chris Phillips, Illinois Natural History Survey Herpetologist, were asked to suggest books for the year-end list. The entire list can be viewed at the following URL: An environmental book list for the holidays which is on the Environmental Almanac website.

• Greg Sass discusses Silver Carp and electric fish barrier

  Jan 14, 2009 12:00 pm19 views

  Greg Sass discusses silver carp and the electric fish barrier In a January 9, 2009 article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The article focuses on the impediments to the electric barrier that is supposed to protect Lake Michigan from invasive species moving through the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. Silver carp, like Asian carp, is an invasive fish threatening the Great Lakes. Greg Sass, INHS Illinois River Biological Station Director, said that silver carp 'accounted for more than 50% of the catch' during 18 weeks of sampling last summer. The full-text of the article can be found on the NewsBank website: Fish fence may get turned on this month But Asian carp barrier for Great Lakes would be at just 25% power

• INHS graduate student interviewed for Medill Reports

  Feb 2, 2009 8:00 am0 views

  Whitney Banning, a doctoral candidate whose advisor is Dr. Christopher Phillips, was interviewed for an article that appeared in the On-line version of Medill Reports. Medill Reports is produced by graduate journalism students at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. The article, "Local turtles disappear as urbanization destroys Illinois wetlands", focuses on Blanding's turtle, which is a state-threatened species in Illinois. In the article, Banning encourages individuals to watch for turtles crossing roads and also to report turtle sightings.

• Mike Ward discusses Bald eagles in IL

  Feb 5, 2009 12:00 pm0 views

  Dr. Michael Ward, Critical Trends Assessment coordinator at the Illinois Natural History Survey, discusses bald eagle population trends in the 31 January 2009 edition of "The State Journal Register." The bald eagle, which is no longer federally listed as endangered, is also being considered for removal from the state list. Ward says that the bald eagle populations in the state are on the rise and that, “the trajectory is really positive.” The full text of the article is available at NewsBank. The article was also picked up by GateHouse News Service, and was printed in the 2 February 2009 edition of the Lincoln, IL "The Courier."

• 2009 William H. Luckmann winner announced

  Mar 11, 2009 1:30 pm3 views

  Nicholas A. Tinsley has won the 2009 William H. Luckmann Award for Research in Applied Entomology. His research project, "Effects of Current and Future Soybean Aphid Management Tactics on Soybean Aphids and Their Natural Enemies in Illinois," will help scientists and growers improve methods of Soybean Aphid integrated pest management. The William H. Luckmann Award is given for research that focuses on aspects of applied entomology such as arthropod pest management, use of insects in biological control programs, pollinators, or natural areas health. The research may be carried out for agricultural, horticultural, urban, medical or natural areas systems. Visit the Illinois Natural History Survey webpage to learn more about the William H. Luckmann award.