We have three diverse topics for the workshop this year. Our keynote presentation will be a joint one given by IBMN Director Doug Taron and Volunteer Coordinator Tom Peterson. Both travel extensively, and have teamed up to give us, "Variations on a Theme: Butterfly Patterns around the World". Doug and Tom will show photos of some of our familiar North American butterflies and their relatives from Central America, India, Japan, and Europe. Certain characteristics of butterfly families are remarkably similar around the world. A little knowledge of the butterfly families allows one to get a quick start in identifying foreign butterflies to the family level or even genus level. Seeing these worldwide patterns may also help to remind us of some of the key features of our common butterfly families. This should be both an interesting and informative talk for monitors at any level of expertise.
Last year, Jane Balaban gave a very popular talk on Dragonflies of Illinois. This year our own Regional Coordinator Marla Garrison will present the first afternoon talk titled, "Damselflies of Illinois". Dragonflies and damselfiles are both members of the order, odonata. Highlights of this talk include the basic anatomy, taxonomy and life history of damselflies together with photo identification and brief descriptions of the damselfly species found in our state. The colors and diversity of this often overlooked group of insects is quite amazing. Once you start noticing them your world gets a little brighter!
The last topic of the day will be presented by Administrator Mel Manner and is titled, "Larvae and Their Host Plant Associates." While many people have a vague understanding that butterflies are connected to certain plants, that is where their knowledge ends. Few realize that it is actually the caterpillar larvae who are most closely tied to plants, what we call "host plants." We will explore that relationship and its various impacts on different species of butterflies. By the end, you will have a better understanding of why plant conservation is so vital to butterflies.
In addition to the three presentations, IBMN Director Doug Taron will present the annual "State of the IBMN" in his opening remarks.