Marrying art and entomology, Illinois Insects and Spiders is a unique introduction to local biodiversity. Artist Peggy Macnamara celebrates the state's burgeoning insect and spider populations with twenty-seven color plates of beautiful renderings of numerous species, organized both taxonomically and thematically. The insects on each plate are depicted true to scale in relation to one another and are displayed approximately ten times larger than life size. Accompanying each plate are lively captions-written by Field Museum curators and collection managers-that identify the species and reveal their interesting behaviors and unique habitats.
The Midwest is a place of diverse beauty. Chicago, Illinois, is no exception - in fact it holds many treasures, some hidden in our own backyards. Illinois Insects and Spiders brings art and science together to help the reader realize the exotic beauty of the local insect population. - from the Foreword by Maggie Daley"