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  • Zebra mussels found in DuPage Co.

    May 26, 2009 3:30 pm32 views

    Kristin TePas, Aquatic Nuisance Species Assistant Coordinator with the Illinois Natural History Survey's Lake Michigan Biological Station, is quoted in four articles describing the zebra mussel's appearance in Bartlet, IL at the Deep Quarry Lake. The appearance of the mussels in the lake is concerning to scientists as they are an invasive species, and have not previously been documented there. The articles can be accessed via NewsBank:

  • Zebra finch study finds mixed impact of early-life stress

    Jun 19, 2017 10:45 pm1827 views

    A bout of early-life stress can have lifelong impacts on two key signals that help male zebra finches attract mates: beak color and song complexity. But rather than being uniformly negative, a recent study published in Functional Ecology found that the consequences of stress are mixed. Stressed males wind up with duller, less colorful beaks but sing more complex songs.

  • WIRED magazine features the research of Greg Sass

    Aug 14, 2009 2:00 pm1 views

    INHS large river ecologist Gregg Sass, Director of the Illinois River Biological Station, is featured in WIRED for his work electric barrier research. The electric barrier is being tested to see if it will prevent Asian carp from advancing up the Illinois River. Asian carp are an invasive species, and they eat plankton that native fish also need to eat in order to survive.

  • 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.

  • Winter 2011 INHS Reports now available

    Jan 26, 2011 4:00 pm0 views

    The Winter 2011 INHS Reports is now available. The cover story is on the INHS Library Open House for the John K. Bouseman Natural History Survey Library Endowment Fund. Inside, there are articles on: A Strategic Approach to Establishing Grasslands in Illinois, Homer Buck—In Memoriam, What Doesn't Kill Mosquitoes Makes Them More Dangerous, two new publications available from INHS, and Species Spotlight and Naturalist's Apprentice on Eastern Meadowlark.

  • 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.

  • Widespread Shallow Groundwater Contamination Found in Southwestern Illinois Cave Streams and Springs

    Nov 17, 2016 8:00 am10 views

    Researchers have detected prescription and over-the-counter medications and personal care products in Illinois groundwater, an indication that humans are contaminating water that is vital to aquatic life.

  • Why do ducks eat that?

    May 15, 2017 2:45 pm5 views

  • White Nose Syndrome found in three additional counties

    May 20, 2015 8:00 am0 views

    White Nose Syndrome, the fungal disease that leads to mortality in bats, has now been confirmed in 11 counties in Illinois. First discovered in New York in 2006, the fungus has spread west, first being detected in Illinois in 2013. INHS Cave Biologist Steve Taylor told an NPR affiliate that, "between 2013 and 2015, it was like a 95 percent decrease in the number of bats at this site, which in 2013 was in excess of 25,000 bats."

  • White Nose Syndrome confirmed in Illinois

    Feb 28, 2013 8:00 am0 views

    INHS researchers and their collaborators have confirmed the presence of White Nose Syndrome (WNS)—a disease fatal to several of our bat species—in Illinois. Read more about WNS and the work INHS researchers are doing to understand the disease on the INHS website.

  • Where the wild turkeys aren't

    May 12, 2017 8:00 am5 views

    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.

  • West Nile Virus confirmed in Evanston

    Jul 14, 2014 8:00 am0 views

    The Illinois Natural History Survey Medical Entomology Lab has reported the first positive tests for West Nile Virus this year from samples collected in Evanston. For more information, visit the Medical Entomology Program website.

  • West Nile found in Champaign county mosquitoes

    Aug 15, 2011 8:00 am0 views

    INHS Medical Entomology Program confirmed the presence of West Nile Virus in a mosquito sample from the Champaign Department of Public Health. Champaign is the 12th county to have positive mosquito samples this year. No human cases have been reported yet this year, but the CDPH recommends dumping standing water and taking general precautions.

  • Western corn rootworm webinar

    Jul 28, 2011 2:00 am0 views

    INHS Behavioral Entomologist Joe Spencer recently presented a webinar on Western Corn Rootworm, a longtime pest of corn crops in the United States. INHS scientists have been studying WCR, and ways to control them, for over 100 years. This webinar presents a review of WCR biology, the history of corn rootworm as a pest species and the WCR's adaptation to crop rotation that began in Illinois. The use of Bt-transgenic corn for rootworm management is introduced along with assumptions about WCR behavior in refuge and Bt corn. Data on WCR behavior and mating in several different configurations of refuge and Bt- corn are presented to illustrate how the placement of refuge affects the biology and ecology of mating WCR beetles.

  • Western corn rootworm developing resistance to rotation

    Sep 4, 2013 8:30 am0 views

    INHS Behavioral Entomologist Joe Spencer is looking at rotation-resistant western corn rootworms, which are causing severe injury to crops. Crops modified to resist infestation by insects and crop rotation are some of the methods to control injurious insects, but some rootworms have developed resistance to these mechanisms. Repeated use of the modified corn year after year has given the rootworms time to adapt. Producers are encouraged to watch their fields for injury. This story was reported in InvestorPlace and the Bulletin.

  • Western corn rootworm beetles likely to emerge soon

    Jun 4, 2012 8:00 am0 views

    INHS Insect Behaviorist Joe Spencer has observed corn rootwork larvae in their second instar, which indicates the adults can be expected to emerge in about 2 weeks. This is earlier than previous years, but not unexpected given the warm spring.

  • Weightless in San Luis Potosi

    Dec 21, 2017 10:15 am4 views

    Field biologist Jeremy Tiemann describes a recent trip to the Valles River basin in the Mexican state of San Luis Potosi to collect freshwater mussels. 

  • Waterfowl study helps evaluate Illinois River habitat

    Apr 13, 2012 10:00 am0 views

    INHS Waterfowl Biologists have been monitoring restored wetlands along the Illinois River to determine if restoration efforts have been successful for waterfowl populations. Chris Young of the State Journal Register went along and documented the diving duck surveys.

  • Waterfowl of Illinois—currently discounted

    Apr 20, 2009 8:00 am0 views

    Dr. Stephen A. Havera's books are now on sale. More information can be seen by viewing the order form (PDF document.) Waterfowl of Illinois order form (PDF).

  • Waterfowl numbers better than last year

    Dec 14, 2011 8:00 am0 views

    Aerial surveys this November showed 20 times more ducks on Lake Chautauqua than during the same period last year. The Green-winged Teal made up the majority of those waterfowl, with conditions on the lake this year being favorable. INHS Waterfowl Biologist Randy Smith said, "Green-winged teal like it when the water is so shallow that they can stand up, just an inch or two deep with lots of vegetation." This year's surveys have found that Lake Chautauqua has more than one third of all the ducks at the 16 sites sampled in the Lower Mississippi River Valley.

  • Waterfowl counts higher than average

    Nov 16, 2012 8:00 am0 views

    INHS Waterfowl Ecologist Aaron Yetter conducts weekly aerial surveys and on Nov 13 found more waterfowl than average for this time of year. Yetter counted 305,310 ducks along the Illinois River compared to the10-year average of 234,434 birds for this same week and 356,735 ducks on the Upper Mississippi River compared to the 10-year average of 226,801 birds. "It looks like we got a big push of new mallards. We also have well above average numbers of pintails, gadwalls, lesser scaup and other species," Yetter said.

  • Volunteers needed to establish aquatic plants in local lakes

    Apr 28, 2008 5:30 pm1 views

  • Video produced about White-Nose Syndrome research

    Oct 21, 2015 8:00 am1 views

    INHS Mycologist Andy Miller and graduate student Daniel Raudabaugh were featured in a video produced by the Prairie Research Institute on their research into White-Nose Syndrome in bats.

  • Vector mosquitoes detected earlier than expected

    Jun 21, 2011 8:00 am0 views

    INHS Medical Entomologist Richard Lampman was featured on a News Channel 15 story about mosquitoes.  Because of all of the rain, the "nuisance" mosquito population is expected to be above average. The recent hot dry weather has resulted in "vector" or disease-carrying mosquito eggs being found earlier than expected this year.

  • Variation in effectiveness of RNAi treatment in western corn rootworm

    Mar 11, 2014 8:00 am0 views

    INHS Behavioral Entomologist Joseph Spencer and his colleagues in Crop Sciences and Entomology recently released a study in the journal Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology with findings that there is variation in the effectiveness of RNAi treatments on western corn rootworm (WCR), a major agricultural pest.

  • US Army Corps releases report on Asian carp and electric barriers

    Mar 29, 2011 8:00 am0 views

    The US Army Corps of Engineers released a report on the operation of the electric barrier system in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. This study focuses on the smaller individuals, which may be better able to cross the barriers. Prior research by Illinois Natural History Survey scientists about the efficacy of the electric barrier systems for adult fish is cited.

  • Updated catalogue of names and descriptions of the oligochaetes now online

    Jan 16, 2014 8:00 am0 views

    INHS Oligochaetologist Mark J. Wetzel and John W. Reynolds (Oligochaetology Lab, Ontario, Canada) recently launched a new website presenting the second edition of Nomenclatura Oligochaetologica, as Nomenclatura Oligochaetologica Editio Secunda – a catalogue of names, descriptions, and type specimens of the Oligochaeta.

  • 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.

  • U of I Press publishes book authored by INHS staff

    May 16, 2014 8:00 am0 views

    Michael Jeffords and Susan Post recently published a book through the University of Illinois Press, "Exploring Nature in Illinois." The book shares information on many of their favorite locations to explore in Illinois and how to find interesting things while you are at it. The book is available through the U of I Press and was featured in an article in The Southern.

  • Undergraduates gain valuable experience working with INHS researchers

    Dec 14, 2011 9:00 am0 views

    Kendall Annetti, an undergraduate student at University of Illinois, has been working on a research project surveying game birds for blood parasites. Under the guidance of INHS Wildlife Epidemiologist Dr. Nohra Mateus-Pinilla, Kendall is completing the research portion of her James Scholar Program experience. The invaluable experiences gained by the many students mentored here at the Illinois Natural History Survey help prepare them for careers in science and beyond.

  • Undergrads choose their own adventure in this wildlife research group

    Oct 20, 2017 1:15 pm0 views

    Don’t be fooled by the name: The wildlife and chronic wasting disease research group has a broader mission than you might think. Yes, the research focuses on white-tailed deer, primarily, and on CWD, a baffliing affliction of deer and elk. But for the dozens of undergraduate students who have joined this collaborative effort over the years, the group also is a portal, of sorts, to wide-ranging adventures in research. “More than 50 undergraduates have worked with us in the past 15 years. And most have gone on to successful careers,” said Nohra Mateus-Pinilla, a veterinary epidemiologist with the Illinois Natural History Survey who leads the effort with animal sciences professors Jan Novakofski and Michelle Green.

  • Uncovering the mystery of Kirtland's snakes

    Jun 20, 2019 4:00 pm22 views

    The Kirtland's snake is shy and secretive, and, as a result, not a lot is known about it. A group of researchers is working hard to change that. They're developing a better understanding of this small but beautiful snake that is widely scattered in small enough numbers to put it on Illinois' threatened species list.

  • Turning the tables: Application of commercial fishing helps fight the spread of Asian carp

    Aug 15, 2017 10:00 am1718 views

    The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is using federal funding from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to help Illinois’ commercial fishermen suppress the exploding invasive carp population. The project—which brings together multiple agencies and Illinois universities, including the Illinois Natural History Survey and the University of Illinois—is a complex undertaking involving the newest technology in bubble, sound, and electric barriers and fish-counting sonar, coupled with centuries-old stalwarts such as gill nets.

  • Tri-Point students work and learn with INHS herpetologists

    Apr 10, 2012 12:00 pm0 views

    A group of students from Tri-Point Jr. High visited the herpetology collection at INHS and conducted field work with Herpetologist Andy Kuhns. The students were able to help with surveys for amphibians and reptiles at Ballard Nature Center. In addition to finding several species of reptiles and amphibians, the students learned about their habitats, biology and conservation.

  • Tick-infested songbirds help spread Lyme disease

    Mar 1, 2017 8:00 am293 views

    Songbird species that carry the ticks responsible for Lyme disease and other diseases forage close to the ground in large wooded areas, according to a recently published study by Christine Parker, a graduate research assistant at the University of Illinois’ Prairie Research Institute, Illinois Natural History Survey.

  • Threat of Zika in Illinois low, but precautions can be taken

    Feb 16, 2016 8:00 am0 views

    INHS Medical Entomologist Ephantus Muturi was interviewed by the Chicago Tribune about the threat of Zika virus in Illinois. Muturi says that Aedes aegypti, which transmits Zika, has been found in Illinois but does not thrive in our climate. The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopinctus, is found in Illinois, but has not been found to transmit Zika, though more research is needed. 

  • Thinking ahead: Corn rootworm management for 2018

    Mar 14, 2018 8:30 am0 views

    Illinois corn growers in the northern and central parts of the state have come to expect some rootworm damage, but University of Illinois entomologists say putting management plans in place now could help growers avoid major losses.

  • The threat of invasive species

    Oct 31, 2011 8:00 am0 views

    INHS Affiliate and former director of the Illinois River Field Station was featured on CBS Sunday Morning in a story about invasive species. On the Asian Carp, Sass stated "We've seen explosive population growth, a population that has almost doubled every year. We're fairly confident we have the highest wild densities of Asian carp anywhere in the world." David Lodge of Notre Dame says studies estimate that invasive species cost the US Economy on the order of at least $120 billion annually. There are 30 federal agencies involved in the fight against invasive species, with about $1.5 billion spent annually. Education and prevention are key to warding off the invasive species.

  • The Nature Conservancy video of Asian Carp features Dr. Chick

    Feb 1, 2010 2:45 pm0 views

    The Nature Conservancy has produced a short video, called "Tracking Asian carp on the Mississippi," that features Dr. John Chick, INHS Aquatic Ecologist and Director of the INHS' Great Rivers Field Station, discussing the problem that the invasive Asian carp are posing to Illinois' rivers.

  • The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center dedicates its new Confluence Field Station

    Oct 26, 2010 2:15 pm0 views

    The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center is a collaborative effort of Lewis and Clark Community College, the University of Illinois and the Illinois Natural History Survey. Their new facility, the Jerry F. Costello National Great Rivers Research and Education Confluence Field Station, will be used to study the big rivers and help develop watershed and river management strategies, in addition to educating students and the public. The new building, incorporating recycled materials, renewable energy sources and designed to blend with the landscape, is believed to be the most environmentally friendly structure in the St. Louis Metropolitan area. Read more about the Excellence in Design Award in this article by RiverBender.com.

  • The most biologically diverse place in Chicago?

    Nov 9, 2012 8:00 am7 views

    INHS botanist Greg Spyreas was interviewed for a radio segment on WBEZ, a Chicago based NPR affiliate. The host of Curious City contacted Spyreas to find out how to find the most biologically diverse place in Chicago. Spyreas suggested finding large areas with a variety of habitats and indicator species, such as Powderhorn Prairie and Marsh on the southeast side of Chicago."The Chicago Region probably has more habitat types and species than just about any other comparably sized area in the Midwest, due to its fortuitous geographic location, soils, topography, glacial history, Lake Michigan, etc. And it is certainly one of if not the most important in terms of biodiversity," said Spyreas.

  • The Illinois Birds book is now available for purchase!

    Dec 7, 2010 9:30 am22 views

    The book that was a century in the making is now available for purchase. Illinois Birds: A Century of Change compares bird populations and landscapes in Illinois from the turn of the last century, the 1950s and the turn of this century. It is a 230-page, full-color book, published by the University of Illinois. It is available for $25.00 plus $6.25 for shipping by emailing birdbook@inhs.uiuc.edu or calling 217-244-2415. Check this press release about the book's release and an article about the book in the Daily Chronicle.

  • The Field Guide to the Sphinx Moths of Illinois is available!

    Dec 7, 2010 8:00 am145 views

    Though often overlooked, there are more than 60 species of Sphinx Moth in Illinois. These large beautiful aerobatic moths are sometimes called Hummingbird Moths or Hawk Moths. A sign of their importance, sphinx moths were chosen as Pollinator of the Month for October 2010 by USFWS. The Field Guide to the Sphinx Moths of Illinois is available for purchase by calling 217-244-2415 or emailing pubs-sales@inhs.uiuc.edu.

  • The extinction of the passenger pigeon

    Mar 25, 2014 8:00 am0 views

    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.

  • The convergent evolution of bird lice

    Sep 3, 2012 8:00 am8 views

    Recent research by INHS Ornithologist and Parasitologist Kevin Johnson has found that bird lice have undergone convergent evolution, evolving different body shapes dependent on where they live on the bird. Despite the morphological similarities between lice from the wings of different bird groups, the species are more closely related to other lice species on the same bird group. The same pattern holds true for lice from the head and body. Learn more about Kevin Johnson's research through this video by the U of I News Bureau.

  • The Christmas Bird Count—A celebration of avian ecology

    Jan 17, 2012 4:00 pm3 views

    INHS Avian Ecologist Jeff Hoover participated in the Cypress Creek Christmas Bird Count, leading a group that identified 54 species (97 species were identified overall). While hiking with his group, he discussed the ecology of the different species, taught techniques useful to identify birds and just observed birds in their habitat. Some participants treat the Bird Count as a contest, but Hoover stated, "For me, it's kind of a celebration of the ecology of the birds that are there in the winter." The annual bird counts provide data that scientists can use to look at migration routes and patterns of bird distribution.

  • The Biology of Small Mammals published

    Mar 4, 2010 5:30 pm1 views

    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.

  • The best laid plans: Did insect resistance management hasten Bt resistance in western corn rootworm?

    Oct 13, 2017 11:00 am522 views

    Illinois Natural History Survey scientists studied behaviors of the western corn rootworm to learn why the insect pests have developed a resistance to Bt corn hybrids, once a deterrent that was as effective as soil insecticides but without the human health risks and environmental concerns associated with broad-spectrum insecticides.

  • Team finds first wild alligator snapping turtle in Illinois since 1984

    Nov 13, 2017 9:30 am136 views

    Researchers report the first sighting in 30 years of a wild alligator snapping turtle in Illinois. The discovery may be a sign of hope for this state-endangered species, or the animal could be the last of its kind to have survived in Illinois without human intervention, the researchers say.