Insects

Insects are vital to the upkeep of prairie ecosystems.  They are responsible for
the pollination of prairie plants and also play a role in nutrient cycling.
Many butterflies that live the prairie are specialized pollinators and
responsible for the cross-pollination of prairie plants that couldn’t
reproduce otherwise.

 Some of the various insects found in Illinois prairies are caterpillars,
beetles, grasshoppers, moths, mosquitoes, flying ants, mayflies, and lacewings.
Many of the insects feed on the nectar of plants such as teasels, blazing stars,
asters and thistles.  Other insects or their larvae feed on specific plants
without which they could not survive.