The more you know

Discover why purple asters and yellow goldenrod make a perfect fall pair. Their bright blooms provide important food and habitat for bees, butterflies and more.

Have you ever seen a huge moon near the horizon? Discover the science behind the moon illusion and try a simple experiment to test it yourself.

Firefly or lightning bug? People use different names for the same animals, so researchers use scientific names help them know exactly which creature they are talking about.

What do animals do when summer gets too hot? For some, they enter estivation, a survival trick that helps frogs, turtles, snails and more beat the heat.

Think moths are just dull butterflies? Think again! Discover how to tell moths from butterflies and learn about some amazing Illinois moths.

Lightning bugs are disappearing because of light pollution and habitat loss. Learn why they matter and simple ways you can help them thrive.

Think you know an insect when you see one? Learn what makes an insect an insect, then test your skills with earthworms, spiders, praying mantises and fireflies.

It's gardening season, and many people are worrying about the weeds in their gardening beds. Instead, they should be asking what classifies something as a weed. And can weeds actually be useful?