Prairie Research Institute News

blog navigation

Natural History Survey
Sort by

blog posts

  • 1000 more endangered mussels released in Illinois rivers

    Sep 4, 2013 8:00 am0 views

    Over the course of a week, 1000 endangered mussels were collected from under a bridge construction site in Pennsylvania, packed for safe transport, quarantined, marked, measured, and released into new sites in Vermilion County, Illinois. This is the third relocation from Pennsylvania to Illinois as part of the Species Survival Plan for two endangered mussels, the northern riffleshell and the clubshell. Read the entire story from the U of I News Bureau, INHS, and the News Gazette.

  • 12-year-old pursues love of paleontology by volunteering in INHS lab

    Oct 2, 2017 8:30 am100 views

    It's not unusual to find 12-year-old Reagan Lee in the INHS paleontology lab on a Saturday, scanning for fossils embedded in chunks of amber from the Dominican Republic.

  • $16.3 million given for new field station

    Sep 21, 2009 4:00 pm1 views

    Governor Pat Quinn visited thee National Great Rivers Research and Education Center's new Confluence Field Station, the future home of the Illinois Natural History Survey's Great Rivers Field Staff, and presented a check for $16.3 million dollars towards its completion. Dr. John Chick, Director of the INHS' Great Rivers Field Station, is briefly quoted in an article written about the visit in the September 19, 2009 article posted at thetelegraph.com.

  • 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.

  • 2010 Naturally Illinois Expo gets television coverage

    Mar 12, 2010 1:15 pm0 views

    The 2010 Naturally Illinois Expo, sponsored by the Institute of Natural Resource Sustainability, of which Illinois Natural History Survey is a part, has been receiving local television coverage. Clips of the shows can be seen on the WICD and WCIA (Anne Dill's segment is called "Turtles" and Rob Collins' is called "Mud to Parks") websites. Other media coverage includes the following:

  • 2014 Illinois First Detector Workshops for invasive species announced

    Oct 1, 2013 8:00 am1 views

    The schedule is up for the First Detector workshops for 2014. This program, a cooperative effort between University of Illinois Plant Clinic, University of Illinois Extension, and the Illinois Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey Program (Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute), is a great way to learn about new pests, diseases, and plants heading into Illinois. Last year, the trainings focused on forested ecosystems; this year the focus is on Landscape and Nursery pests.

  • 2018 Celebration of Excellence

    Apr 12, 2018 8:00 am362 views

    On April 11, the Prairie Research Institute honored employees for their outstanding achievements and excellent work. Selection committees composed of staff from across the organization reviewed multiple strong nominations before selecting the 2018 honorees.

  • 30 years of data show spotted turtle communities are still vulnerable

    Aug 27, 2020 9:30 am630 views

    Populations of the endangered spotted turtle in Illinois are holding up better than those in other states, based on 30 years of data at the University of Illinois. Still, only two populations remain, and the predictions are poor.

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

    Jan 19, 2021 10:45 am4 views

    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.

  • 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.

  • Adaptability of deer ticks back in the limelight

    Sep 14, 2011 8:00 am0 views

    INHS Wildlife Veterinary Epidemiologist Nohra Mateus-Pinilla and her research on lyme disease vectors were featured in an article in the Danville Commercial News and also discussed in a segment on Chicago Tonight about Science in Illinois. Deer ticks have been spreading and are now found in 26 Illinois counties. Mateus-Pinilla's study at Allerton park showed high numbers of infected individuals in prairie habitats, rather than the typical forest habitat. Based on the study, it appears that Lyme disease and deer ticks may be more adaptable than previously known. With regards to the lack of studies on ticks and lyme disease, Mateus-Pinilla said, "There are a lot of unknowns. It seems like we have very little work on the ground being done."

  • A donation for the ages

    Jun 26, 2018 8:15 am3 views

    A recent gift of thousands of fossils provides insights about a dynamic stage in the climatic evolution of North America.

  • Aggressive, non-native wetland plants squelch species richness more than dominant natives do

    Jun 19, 2019 9:15 am2 views

  • Alexandra Cousteau visits Great Rivers Field Station

    Apr 24, 2009 10:15 am0 views

    Alexandra Cousteau, granddaughter of oceanographer Jacques-Yves Cousteau and founder of Blue Legacy International, visited the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC) in Brighton, IL from April 20 - 22. Cousteau, was gathering film footage for her upcoming documentary, "Expedition: Blue Planet." Ms. Cousteau worked with John Chick, Field Station Director for the INHS and NGRREC, to investigate nutrient-pollution in the Mississippi River due to current farming practices and other sources. To facilitate the learning process for the documentary crew, Dr. Chick also organized a round table discussion for the "Expedition: Blue Planet" group. The round table included representatives from the USDA-NRCS, USEPA, the Nature Conservancy, the Sierra Club and the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dr. Chick and his INHS/NGRREC crew took the Blue Planet Expedition to film on the Mississippi River in various locations, focusing on both healthy sections of this floodplain ecosystem and areas challenged by industrial and agricultural pollution. Expedition members also learned first hand about the risk posed to boaters from the leaping behavior of invasive Asian Carp. Dr. Chick was mentioned in three of the "Expedition: Blue Planet" daily blogs, and was interviewed for the documentary film. Videos from this visit should be posted on the Blue Legacy website in a few weeks.

  • Alligator Snapping Turtle featured in Environmental Almanac

    Nov 3, 2014 8:00 am3 views

    The Alligator Snapping Turtle reintroduction project was featured in this week's Environmental Almanac. Not seen in Illinois in 30 years, INHS researchers are working to re-establish populations of these massive turtles.

  • "A Minute With" Ed Heske about White Nose Syndrome in bats

    May 12, 2011 8:00 am0 views

    INHS Mammal Ecologist was interviewed about White Nose Syndrome, a fungus spreading west across the United States, which affects bats. Bats are important predators of pest insects and many ecological questions related to how this typically fatal infection will impact predation rates, pesticide use, etc remain to be answered. Read the complete interview in "A Minute With..."

  • A new species of Drypetes described

    Nov 26, 2013 8:00 am2 views

    In a recent paper in Phytokeys, INHS Botanist Dr. Geoffrey Levin described a new species of Drypetes from Costa Rica. This new species of flowering tree produces asymmetrical drupes (fleshy fruits), leading to its name Drypetes asymmetricarpa.

  • Annual Spring Bird Count - May 10th

    May 9, 2014 8:00 am0 views

    For the last 40 years, one day each spring, birders across Illinois go out and identify as many species of birds as they can. This data is compiled into a database managed by the Illinois Natural History Survey. Visit our website for more information on the Spring Bird Count.

  • Applications Accepted for a Student Research in Applied Entomology Award

    Feb 10, 2017 8:00 am4 views

    Applications will be accepted for the 2017 William H. Luckmann Award for Student Research in Applied Entomology until 5 p.m. on Friday, March 31.

  • Applications for Luckmann Award sought

    Feb 12, 2010 4:45 pm0 views

    Dr. William H. Luckmann served as a researcher and administrator for applied entomological programs at the Illinois Natural History Survey from 1949 through 1984. Applications for the William H. Luckmann award are now being accepted. Additional information about the award, including deadlines and requirements, can be found on the School of Integrative Biology at the University of Illinois website.

  • Are all your ducks in a row? Surveyors take to a plane to know!

    Nov 9, 2015 8:00 am43 views

  • Arsenic, mercury and selenium in Asian carp not a health concern to most

    Jan 28, 2014 8:00 am9 views

    A recent study by INHS researchers Jeffrey M. Levengood, David J. Soucek, Gregory G. Sass, Amy Dickinson, and John M. Epifanio showed that overall, concentrations of arsenic, selenium, and mercury in bighead and silver carp from the lower Illinois River do not appear to be a health concern for a majority of human consumers. The full results of the study have been published in the journal Chemosphere.

  • Article by INHS researchers featured in Outdoor Illinois

    Jun 1, 2009 4:15 pm2 views

    An article on Illinois Turtles appears in the May issue of Outdoor Illinois The article is written by Jim Lamer, Chad Dolan and John Tucker. Lamer and Dolan are former INHS employees. John Tucker is a herpetologist at the INHS' Great Rivers Field Station.

  • Asian Carp and the INHS Illinois River Biological Station in Bloomberg Businessweek

    Feb 16, 2012 8:00 am10 views

    Blake Ruebush, Levi Solomon and Chase Holtman took Bloomberg reporter Ben Paynter out on the river to survey for Asian Carp as part of a story summarizing the Asian Carp battle. Using a boat protected by "carp-proof" windshield and mesh netting, the ecologists electroshocked the river to survey the abundance and diversity of fishes present. Read more about the legal battles, the eDNA findings, and marketing Asian Carp to the public. Learn more about the Illinois River Biological Station.

  • Asian Carp barrier catches turtle

    Jun 14, 2012 8:00 am2 views

    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.

  • Asian carp image on cover of Alternatives Journal

    Jan 14, 2015 8:00 am2 views

    The carp image, taken by Thad Cook, graces the cover of the Canada's Environmental Voice - Alternatives Journal's - "Water Issue." It accompanies an article on Asian Carp and work being done by the US Army Corps of Engineers to curb their impact and keep them out of the Great Lakes.

  • Asian carp still doing well

    Sep 7, 2010 9:00 am1 views

    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.

  • Asian tiger mosquito gains ground in Illinois

    Jun 4, 2020 8:15 am6 views

    Researchers report that the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, has become more abundant across Illinois in the past three decades. Its spread is problematic, as the mosquito can transmit diseases–like chikungunya or dengue fever–to humans.

  • Assessment of Asian carp in Illinois waterways

    Sep 5, 2019 9:30 am12914 views

    Scientists and policymakers have long struggled with managing Asian carp numbers in Illinois waterways. PRI's Joe Parkos and Steve Butler explain what's working to scale back these intruders as they inch toward the Great Lakes.

  • Attack of the Flying Fish

    Jun 24, 2010 2:00 pm0 views

    The Illinois Times talks to Kevin Irons, INHS LTRMP Fish Specialist, about sampling for Asian carp. Irons catalogs some of the things that he does to make sampling on the Illinois River safe.

  • Award presented to Dr. Philipp

    Jul 30, 2009 12:30 pm0 views

    Dr. David Philipp, Director of the IL Fisheries Genetics Lab at the Illinois Natural History Survey, was presented with the Aldo Leopold Conservation Award at the Federation of Fly Fishers Annual Conclave in Loveland, CO, held in July. Dr. Philipp was recognized for the scientific contributions he has made during his career, as well as his efforts with the Fisheries Conservation Foundation promoting marine and freshwater scientific research among fishery users and the general public.

  • Bald Eagles "making an impressive comeback"

    Jan 12, 2016 8:00 am0 views

    INHS Ornithologist Mike Ward was contacted about the increase in eagle sightings in the area. According to Ward, there were fewer than 20 eagle nests in Illinois in the 80s, whereas during the last spring bird count, there were an estimated 200 eagle nests.

  • Bald Eagles nesting in NE Illinois

    Jun 20, 2012 8:00 am2 views

    The recent discovery of a nesting pair of Bald Eagles in Lake County has been described as "a fairly big deal." According to INHS Ornithologist Steve Bailey, the Chicago area did not have breeding pairs of eagles until recently, and he knew of only one other nesting pair in Lake County. This discovery brings the total to 5 active Bald Eagle nests in the Chicago area this season.

  • Banned chemicals persist in river otters

    Oct 16, 2013 9:00 am0 views

    INHS researchers Samantha Carpenter and Nohra Mateus-Pinilla recently published a paper in the journal Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. Carpenter, Mateus-Pinilla, and University of Illinois Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory researchers, analyzed liver tissue samples from 23 river otters looking at 20 organohalogenated compounds used in agriculture and industry. Read stories from the Red Orbit and News Room America.

  • Baseline mussel survey finds only one female Fatmucket

    Aug 18, 2015 8:00 am0 views

    INHS Aquatic Biologist Jeremy Tiemann led a team in a baseline survey of mussels in Crystal Lake Park, finding only a female Fatmucket. The team will return in 5-10 years to see if the planned installation of in-stream riffles improves the habitat and changes the mussel population.

  • Bass learn from experience not to take the bait

    Sep 27, 2019 2:15 pm763 views

    Largemouth bass apparently don’t learn to avoid fishing lures from other bass but instead from their own past experiences, according to University of Illinois research.

  • Be A Hero - Transport Zero campaign to stop the spread of exotic species wins award

    Jun 24, 2014 8:00 am23 views

    The Awards for Publication Excellence (APEX) are given each year by Communication Concepts to recognize outstanding publication work in a variety of fields, and one of the Illinois Natural History Survey projects was selected this year for an award. Sarah Zack, Pat Charlebois, and their IL-IN Sea Grant colleague Jason Brown were awarded in the Green Campaigns, Programs & Plans category for their work on our “Be A Hero – Transport Zero” campaign and messaging, and for the www.TransportZero.org website. The campaign is designed to show boaters, fishermen, and other recreational water users how simple it can be to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species between water bodies.

  • "Bearded" crayfish species—what else is out there?

    May 1, 2011 12:30 pm2 views

    INHS Astacologist Chris Taylor was interviewed by On Earth about the new species of "bearded" crayfish he described earlier this year. He described crayfish as "one of the most important, if not the most important link" between primary producers (which they eat), and predators like fish and birds (which eat them). He added that uncovering a new species in a well studied area "just reinforces the point that we don't know everything about these aquatic ecosystems, and that there are still discoveries to be made."

  • Become a citizen scientist for pollinators with University of Illinois

    Mar 6, 2019 4:45 pm6 views

    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.

  • Beware of Climate Neoskepticism

    Sep 7, 2016 8:00 am9 views

    Skepticism and uncertainty should not excuse inaction in protecting the environment from human-caused climate change, say scientists in a new essay published in the journal Science on August 12.

  • 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.

  • Biology of Small Mammals, by INHS mammalogist Joe Merritt selected as an "Outstanding Academic Title" for 2010

    Jan 25, 2011 4:30 pm0 views

    The Biology of Small Mammals, by INHS mammalogist Joe Merritt was selected by Choice Reviews as one of the "Outstanding Academic Titles" of 2010. It was one of 10 books selected for the list from the Zoology category.  Choice Reviews is a publication of the American Library Association.

  • Bird gets worm, makes history

    Jun 19, 2017 8:45 am4 views

    Illinois Natural History Survey postdoctoral researcher Loren Merrill describes how he observed the unusual behavior of a pied-billed grebe from his balcony, leading to an insight published in the Wilson Journal of Ornithology.

  • Bitter cold in January likely won’t reduce field crop pests in the spring

    Mar 14, 2019 1:30 pm179 views

    Despite the record cold air temperatures, soil temperatures averaged slightly warmer than normal this winter. Consequently, the Arctic conditions are expected to have little effect on overwintering field crop insect pest populations.

  • Blood markers predict Humboldt penguin nest type, reproductive success

    Jun 2, 2020 8:45 am0 views

    Researchers looked at metabolic markers in the blood of 30 Humboldt penguins nesting in the Punta San Juan Marine Protected Area in Peru, finding that penguins in guano-rich burrows and unsheltered locations had consistent – and distinct – patterns of several sugars in their blood. 

  • Bobwhites listen to each other when picking habitat

    Jun 18, 2020 8:00 am0 views

    Northern bobwhites are attracted to a habitat based on whether other bobwhites are present there, research led by Illinois Natural History Survey avian ecologist Michael Ward. This phenomenon, called conspecific attraction, could aid conservation efforts.

  • Boom of record breaking bass over?

    Jun 15, 2012 8:00 am5 views

    INHS Conservation Geneticist Dave Philipp studied bass for 20 years, finding that genetics plays a role in which fish are caught. Fish that are more aggressive, thus more likely to bite a hook, pass that trait on to their offspring. As those aggressive fish are caught and removed from the population, the remaining fish are genetically harder to catch. This is one of the theories suggested to explain the mystery of why the Pennsylvania Largemouth Bass State Record has stood for nearly 30 years.

  • Brian D. Anderson retires from PRI

    Jul 10, 2017 12:15 pm103 views

    On July 8 Prairie Research Institute staff and supporters gathered to bid a fond farewell to Brian D. Anderson, who retired from PRI at the end of June after serving as director of the Illinois Natural History Survey and interim director of PRI.

  • Bringing yesterday's plants to digital life

    Jul 31, 2019 11:00 am2 views

  • Brown marmorated stink bug in Illinois

    May 2, 2011 8:00 am0 views

    The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug is a new invasive species being found in Illinois that is getting a lot of media attention. INHS Entomologist Chris Dietrich discussed the bugs in the Geneva Republican, stating that with no natural predators, these bugs can become a nuisance species. He adds that, “They’re actually considered a delicacy in some parts of Mexico.” Illinois Cooperative Agriculture Pest Survey Entomologist, Kelly Estes was interviewed about the bugs on WGLT - Bloomington NPR affiliate and WILL 580. This species has been confirmed in Cook, Kane, Champaign and McLean counties but scientists are still determining the extent of its spread. She asks that if you think you have this (or other pest species) send her a photo or the actual specimen for positive identification. She can be contacted at invasives@inhs.illinois.edu.