For millions of years, insects have lived in our world. Different species have evolved into critical roles in the Forest Preserves of Cook County and all around our region.

Insects have a symbiotic relationship with native plants; they rely on each other to live. “The more different kinds of plants there are, the more diversity of insects there are,” explains Brian Winters, assistant director and naturalist at River Trail Nature Center.

One local example of this dynamic relationship is between the monarch butterfly and milkweed. Monarchs rely on the milkweed for food and will solely lay their eggs on the underside of milkweed leaves, while milkweed relies on these beautiful insects to pollinate.

“The monarch caterpillar depends on the milkweed plant to thrive. The plant is its only food source. Without milkweed, they would not survive,” says Winters.

Pollination is a key role for many kinds of insects, from species of butterflies and bees to ants and wasps. In fact, without pollinator insects, much of human agriculture would be essentially impossible.

Insects are also an invaluable part of nature’s food chain. In some cases, they are essential nutrients for other animals. Insects like the six-spotted tiger beetle are the prey of many types of birds and small mammals like rodents, moles and shrews. Sometimes, insects are both the hunter and hunted: An amazing aviator predator of mosquitoes is the green garner dragonfly, which is commonly seen in ponds or lakes during the summertime.

“The food chain starts with plants and is very closely followed by insects, and continues getting bigger and bigger, the largest being the carnivores and herbivores,” Winters says. “When there is a diverse variety of insects, there is a diverse variety of larger animals. More mosquitoes mean more insectivorous bats; more dragonflies mean more fish; and the list goes on and on.”

“Insects,” he concludes, “are one of the most amazing forms of life.” Interested in learning more about insects and their importance to local habitats? Join us at Insect Fest in Cummings Square on Thursday, July 18, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., or plan to visit one of our Nature Centers and ask a naturalist to tell you more.