GENERAL MEETING
February 8, 2008 GENERAL MEETING
College of DuPage Bldg. K, Rm 131 8:00 P.M
Fossil Insects of Mazon Creek by Cary Easterday, Instructor and Assistant curator of Northeastern Illinois University.
Fossil insects have been reported at Mazon Creek for 143 years. In fact, the first fossil animal described at Mazon Creek was an insect - Miamia bronsoni Dana, 1864. Mazon Creek insects have been reported in dozens (hundreds?) of papers, journals, and books ever since then. Unfortunately, these papers are scattered, hard to find, and frequently confusing. 'The Richardson's Guide to the Fossil Fauna of Mazon Creek' (1997) provided some clarity; however, it focused on the more common insect groups and did not discuss most species. Richardson (1953) provided the last detailed review of Mazon Creek insects, but many of the old species have been updated since then and many new species have been found. The main purpose of the current research is to provide a clear picture of Mazon Creek insect diversity and abundance. These data have been compiled from multiple sources in the past three years. This is an ongoing project, but Cary will provide the most recent information, including a few surprises!
Visitors are welcome. Refreshments will be served.
Last Updated 6/3/2007
Visitors Since 1/27/2007