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. Many insects like bees, butterflies, moths, and beetles are beneficial to humans; they pollinate plants, produce useful substances, control pest insects, act as scavengers, 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)
