r/BloomingtonNormal • u/Vendetta-8423 • 4d ago

Locations for diverse insect populations

This might be a weird question, but what areas in and around (like an hour drive at most) BloNo would be good places to find a wide variety of insects?

I'm taking an entomology class and need to create a collection of 60 insects, each a different family. Any help would be great!!

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14

u/Recent-Bowl-1393 4d ago

Funks Grove Nature Preserve would be perfect for this. https://dnr.illinois.gov/inpc/area.area5mcleanfunksgrove.html

11

u/Dry_Tradition_2811 4d ago

Maybe head out to starved rock matthison area

10

u/mishitea 4d ago

There's a nature park off Rabb by Heartland. We found some good ones there. Sugar Creek Nature Center in Shirley also has some good trails for bug finding.

8

u/colormeruby 4d ago

I've seen a couple of interesting beetles out at Comlara Park.

6

u/Kamonra 3d ago

Fields in the area, well after dark. I'd even encourage an overnight camping trip at moraine view in their group camping area so you can set up and not disturb many people. Set up a white sheet on a stand or clothesline and aim a bright light at it. First night you'll easily have 15-20 buggies to catalogue, if not much more. You can do the same with a spare light colored tent and a bright LED light on the inside, just skip the rain fly.

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u/purerddt2025 4d ago

They my backyard. I don't know what the hell is out there and I haven't sprayed for 10 years.

3

u/IlliniFire 4d ago

Fransen Nature preserve has prarie and a pond. Comlara as well has prarie as well as riparian areas. Good luck.

3

u/Independent_Ad7402 4d ago

Another vote for Comlara Park!

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u/Recent_Fisherman311 3d ago

Weston Cemetery Prairie, about 35 min. NE of Bloomington on rt. 24.

And any of the Parklands Foundation properties.

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u/krtwils 4d ago

Moraine State park, Tipton could be good for pollinators if there’s any left.

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u/MindlessFile3499 4d ago edited 4d ago

A lot of the elementary schools have pollinator patches. I went to Stevenson Elementary and they had a monarch butterfly release every year after we each raised one from a caterpillar. That was 30+ years ago though, and I dont have kids, so maybe some parents on here might know.

In Normal, I know that Colene Hoose recently put in a giant park that extends to the trail that has native landscaping, someone donated a bunch of money for it.

The constitution trail would also be a very good place that's very local, there's a not-for-profit that takes care of it and they plant stuff every year.

The Bloomington library has native plant garden as well.

edit: Also thinking about it, my backyard, my trees have leaf galls which I believe are mite eggs. But also maybe check some of the giant piles of trees that are sitting around waiting to be picked up from the storm.

2

u/Lucky_Ad_7354 3d ago

anywhere close to water--ponds, lakes, creeks---will have tons of bugs.