Joseph Lee Spencer

Principal Res. Scientist & Res. Program Leader in Insect Behavior. Illinois Natural History Survey/PRI at Univ. of IL. Amazing insects, rootworms, corn & more!

[Joseph Lee Spencer @talkingrootworm]

Just as cute as it can be! An undescribed metalmark butterfly( #Riodinidae) in the Genus Sarota. Seen in the rainforest at the Manu Biological Station. "Jewel mark" or "tassel-leg" #butterflies are among my favorites. #Peru #manuroad[Manu Biolodge, Pillcopata, Peru. 24 Oct 2026]

[Joseph Lee Spencer @talkingrootworm]

President Trump's new hair color reminds me of someone...

[Joseph Lee Spencer @talkingrootworm]

Thanks ESA for featuring my photo!

[Entomological Society of America @EntsocAmerica]

Arthropod Photo of the Week: September 2, 2026
Crab spider and black swallowtail caterpillar
Xysticus sp. / Papilio polyxenes
Araneae: Thomisidae / Lepidoptera: Papilionidae
Observed in Illinois, USA
By Joseph Spencer (@talkingrootworm), Illinois, USA
#arthropodPOTW

[Joseph Lee Spencer @talkingrootworm]

@ojessie__ I bet Mom has panty-lines on her ankles! Give Mom a break buddy!

[Joseph Lee Spencer @talkingrootworm]

This is male #Polyphemus #moth, #Antheraea polyphemus (Family #Saturniidae). The feathery "plumose" #antennae are adapted to detect female sex #pheromone at low concentrations. If detected, males engage in upwind flight following the concentration gradient to the waiting female.

[Illinois Men's Basketball @IlliniMBB]

WE CAME FOR 2.
SEE YOU SATURDAY.

[ESPN @espn]

THE FIGHTING ILLINI TAKE OVER IN H-TOWN 😤

Illinois knocks off Houston to keep dancin' to the Elite Eight 🪩

[Joseph Lee Spencer @talkingrootworm]

Go Illini! Let's win a few more!

[Joseph Lee Spencer @talkingrootworm]

@singaporemacro Superb image! It checks all the boxes - it's sharp, resolved, perfectly illuminated, and a compelling subject. You're doing it well!

[Joseph Lee Spencer @talkingrootworm]

@singaporemacro Is that an egg of a parasite attached to the right side of the abdomen?

[Joseph Lee Spencer @talkingrootworm]

“Girl with kaleidoscope eyes” #Coelioxys sp. #Cuckoo #leafcutter #bees parasitize the nests of leafcutter bees by invading & laying their eggs inside that will kill the leafcutter larvae & then eat their store of nectar & pollen. This female was chilling on an aster in my garden.

[Joseph Lee Spencer @talkingrootworm]

“Who’s in charge now?” If asked, I’d affirm the wheel #bug, #Arilus cristatus, as the top predator in my yard. A recent encounter w/ one of many cross #orbweavers, #Neoscona crucifera, in my yard reminded me that the tables can, and do, turn. #Arachtober #spider #arachnid

[Bayer Traits & Systems @BayerTraits]

As our conversation comes to a close, Dr. Joseph Spencer reflects on the future of managing corn rootworm pressure. Now it’s your turn to reflect on the best approach for your fields. Take our quiz to see which Bayer trait fits your needs next season. https://t.co/kMmb0MyM6N

A big thank-you to @talkingrootworm and the University of Illinois for inviting us out and sharing such great insight into the world of corn rootworm.

[Joseph Lee Spencer @talkingrootworm]

#Spider #mating or a midnight snack? There's both a male & a female orbweaver (perhaps #Neoscona crucifera) in there. I think it's more #marriage than mealtime mayhem as they were suspended from a single silken strand.

[Joseph Lee Spencer @talkingrootworm]

#Spider #mating or a midnight snack? There's both a male & a female orbweaver (perhaps #Neoscona crucifera) in there. I think it's more #marriage than mealtime mayhem as they were suspended from a single silken strand.

[Joseph Lee Spencer @talkingrootworm]

These boy #bees are catching ZZZs! #Melissodes bimaculata is in the same family as the honeybee, #Apidae. The males roost together overnight on vegetation, while females stay in their individual nest holes in the ground.

[Joseph Lee Spencer @talkingrootworm]

These boy #bees are catching ZZZs! #Melissodes bimaculata is in the same family as the honeybee, #Apidae. The males roost together overnight on vegetation, while females stay in their individual nest holes in the ground.

[Bayer Traits & Systems @BayerTraits]

Join us for a weekly series of conversations with Dr. Joseph L. Spencer @talkingrootworm, Principal Insect Behaviorist with the Illinois Natural History Survey and part of the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois. Each episode delves into corn rootworm and the pressure patterns they bring, shaping cornfields this season and beyond.

👉 New episodes drop every week till September. Episode 1 drops tomorrow — don’t miss your chance to “Know Before You Grow.”
🔍 Follow along for insights that help you stay ahead in the field.
#RootwormWatch

[Joseph Lee Spencer @talkingrootworm]

Western #corn #rootworm adults & pupa from #Illinois #CropSciences #Entomology research plots. #Beetles have been out for ca. 2 weeks. #WCR larval pressure looks very good at present. Great conditions to evaluate products. #Diabrotica #virgifera #Chrysomelidae #Coleoptera

[Joseph Lee Spencer @talkingrootworm]

When you walk through a dark #Illinois woods at night, expect to find killers, the dead, and/or the infected! #Insect #Spider #Fly #Fungus #macrophotography