Insects
A tiger swallowtail butterfly sips nectar from a Canada thistle.
Calling something a "bug" usually implies a pest or disease carrier, like a mosquito or tick. The vast majority of insects, like bees, butterflies, moths, and beetles are not only beneficial, but essential, to humans; they pollinate plants, produce useful substances and medicines, control pest insects, act as scavengers to clean the environment, and serve as food for other animals.
Please email your wildlife questions, stories, or images to wildlife@chicagoriver.org.
The Insect Identification has a complete guide to the insects of Illinois, many of which can be seen along the river. Some common insects are highlighted below.
- Ecology of the Chicago Region: Insects
- Common Butterflies of the Chicago Region
- More Common Butterflies of the Chicago Region
- River Life Stories: emerald darner dragonfly, monarch butterfly and ruby meadowhawk dragonfly
- Tick Fact Sheet (ok, not really an insect)
