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All the Buzz: Forest Preserves Insects that Fly, Jump, Crawl and Swim

red banded leafhopper on a leaf

From wetlands to woodlands, prairies to ponds, the Forest Preserves of Cook County are home to more than 20,000 different types of insect life. Whether flying, jumping, crawling, or swimming, these tiny creatures play important roles in local ecosystems. Here are four insects you might encounter during a walk in the Forest Preserves this summer.

Fly:

The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is a well-known species in Cook County, often spotted in the Forest Preserves during the summer months. These butterflies rely on milkweed plants, which grow in prairies and open spaces, to lay their eggs. Monarchs are famous for their long migration to Mexico, and Illinois serves as an important stopover. However, habitat loss threatens their numbers, making plants like milkweed essential to supporting their population in the region.

Jump:

The red-banded leafhopper (Graphocephala coccinea), also known as the candy-striped leafhopper, is a small but striking insect found throughout Illinois, especially in woodlands, meadows and gardens. Its bright red and blue-green coloration makes it stand out, despite its small size. These leafhoppers are excellent jumpers, using their powerful hind legs to escape threats. While they primarily feed on plant sap, they can sometimes spread plant diseases.

Crawl:

The dogbane beetle (Chrysochus auratus) is a dazzling, metallic green beetle frequently found in prairies and fields where dogbane and milkweed plants grow. These beetles move slowly along leaves, feeding on toxic dogbane foliage, which they secrete when threatened by predators to make them unpalatable.

Swim:

The water scorpion (Nepa apiculata) is a stealthy predator found in wetlands, ponds and slow-moving streams in Cook County. Despite its name, it is not a true scorpion but uses its front legs to ambush small aquatic prey. Its tail actually acts as a kind of ‘snorkel,’ rather than a stinger, so it can breathe in the water.