Butterflies in Illinois

Red Admiral butterfly

Discover the variety of butterflies on an Illinois summer day. 

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Most of these delicate beauties were all seen on one multi-trunked tree in the moments following a summer rain shower at White Pines Forest State Park.

They have great names:

• Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis)
• Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma)
• Tawny Emperor (Asterocampa clyton)
• Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)
• Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis astyanax)

Atlantis fritillary

The Atlantis fritillary (Speyeria atlantis) and Monarch (Danaus plexippus) are more grassland butterflies and were spotted in the tall grass prairie. Experience Jarrett Prairie Reserve in Byron, IL. 

Hear more midwestern insects Train Crossing in Illinois - Listen to August.

See more Earth Minutes with insects (from Australian green tree ants to Valley Carpenter bees)

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