To find sufficient food and avoid getting eaten, spider hatchlings need to disperse quickly. They often take to the air, making use of silken strands,…
Up, Up and Away! Spiders Go Ballooning
The Truth About Snake Jaws
Randy Ratsnake gives another jaw-dropping performance, using an amazing set of mandibular adaptations to swallow his meal. No unhinging, detaching or dislocating required!
Losing My Religiosa
European praying mantises can vary widely in color, from light tan to green, but the ‘bullseye’ on the inner surface of the front leg is…
American Kestrels: Part Two
With assistance from wildlife biologists from the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, American kestrel chicks in the Kane County nest box program are weighed,…
American Kestrels! Part One
American Kestrels are small falcons that favor grasslands and other areas with low vegetation. These colorful birds, sometimes mistaken for mourning doves, survey their hunting grounds from prominent posts like tall poles and utility lines. Good Natured: American Kestrels! Part One July 15, 2022 Well, it happened again the other day. There I was, sitting
Can You Spot a Spotless Lady Beetle?
Measuring right around 4 mm, or just over 1/8 in. in length, the polished or ‘spotless’ lady beetle is one of our area’s native ladybug…
Late-night Love with Long-horned Beetles
Two long-horned beetles found themselves attracted to the light, and each other, on a recent summer night. Good Natured: Late-night Love with Long-horned Beetles July 1, 2022 The other night, even though I was dog tired, I stepped outside for a bit of fresh air before bed. It’s a simple exercise, one I take part
Old Friends Karen, Phengodes and Neotibicen
This insect’s genus name, Phengodes, can be traced to the Greek word for light-and with good reason. Phengodes larvae and adult females glow continuously ‘with…
