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.
PDF Files for Students
- How to pin butterflies and moths
- Some Illinois Entomologists (with some interesting factoids as well)
- Some environments we visit at the Sun Foundation
- Major insect orders (these are the “big four”)
- Coleoptera (beetles)
- Diptera (true flies)
- Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths)
- Hymenoptera (ants, bees, and wasps)
Useful websites
- AntWeb.org (good place to learn more about ants and their classification)
- BugGuide – a lot of useful information about insects
- Catalog of Life (2022 version)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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).
- Moth Photographers Group (digital guide to moth identification)
- 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.