Vernon Hills

Ecosystem Overview

The Vernon Hills ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 97 taxonomic genera. Located in Lake County, Illinois, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 21 frequently observed species and 19 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. This location ranks #2 for species diversity among 38 Lake County County natural areas, placing it in the 95th percentile for biodiversity.

Biodiversity Highlights

100

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 38 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 38 locations

95th percentile for diversity

vs. Waukegan

0% species diversity

Ecosystem Overview

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Biodiversity Highlights

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Species Distribution

Very Common‌

Common‌

Occasional‌

Rare‌

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

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Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 100 total documented species.

Papilio polyxenes

American Swallowtail

Very Common6 obs.

Pieris rapae

small white

Very Common4 obs.

Salticus scenicus

Zebra Jumper

Very Common2 obs.

Anaxyrus americanus

American Toad

Very Common2 obs.

Sphecius speciosus

Eastern Cicada-Killer Wasp

Very Common2 obs.

Celithemis eponina

Halloween Pennant

Common2 obs.

Butorides virescens

green heron

Common2 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Common2 obs.

Libellula luctuosa

Widow Skimmer

Common2 obs.

Pachydiplax longipennis

Blue Dasher

Common2 obs.

Dermestes lardarius

Larder Beetle

Common1 obs.

Diabrotica undecimpunctata

Spotted Cucumber Beetle

Occasional1 obs.

Oxidus gracilis

Millipede

Occasional1 obs.

Xylotrechus colonus

Occasional1 obs.

Tramea lacerata

Black Saddlebags

Occasional1 obs.

Perithemis tenera

Eastern Amberwing

Occasional1 obs.

Ischnura verticalis

Eastern Forktail

Occasional1 obs.

Dolichovespula maculata

Baldfaced Hornet

Rare1 obs.

Lucidota atra

Black Firefly

Rare1 obs.

Euchlanis triquetra

Rare1 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Download a professional PDF field guide featuring all the species found in Vernon Hills. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+92%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Lake County County, Illinois

Nearby Natural Areas

Waukegan

Importance: 0.52

100 species

0% vs. current

Lake County

Importance: 0.50

100 species

0% vs. current

Gurnee

Importance: 0.49

5 species

+1900% vs. current

Mundelein

Importance: 0.49

25 species

+300% vs. current

North Chicago

Importance: 0.49

10 species

+900% vs. current

Lake Forest

Importance: 0.41

75 species

+33% vs. current

Libertyville

Importance: 0.37

13 species

+669% vs. current

Zion

Importance: 0.36

91 species

+10% vs. current

About This Comparison

These comparisons are based on documented wildlife observations from citizen science data. Locations with higher species counts may have more observation activity, different habitat types, or larger coverage areas. Regional rankings help identify biodiversity hotspots and unique natural areas within Lake County County.

Regional Comparison

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Regional Ranking

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Species Count

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vs. Regional Average

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Nearby Natural Areas

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About This Comparison

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+92%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Lake County County, Illinois

Nearby Natural Areas

Waukegan

Importance: 0.52

100 species

0% vs. current

Lake County

Importance: 0.50

100 species

0% vs. current

Gurnee

Importance: 0.49

5 species

+1900% vs. current

Mundelein

Importance: 0.49

25 species

+300% vs. current

North Chicago

Importance: 0.49

10 species

+900% vs. current

Lake Forest

Importance: 0.41

75 species

+33% vs. current

Libertyville

Importance: 0.37

13 species

+669% vs. current

Zion

Importance: 0.36

91 species

+10% vs. current

About This Comparison

Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

100

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 38 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 38 locations

95th percentile for diversity

vs. Waukegan

0% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 100 total documented species.

Papilio polyxenes

American Swallowtail

Very Common6 obs.

Pieris rapae

small white

Very Common4 obs.

Salticus scenicus

Zebra Jumper

Very Common2 obs.

Anaxyrus americanus

American Toad

Very Common2 obs.

Sphecius speciosus

Eastern Cicada-Killer Wasp

Very Common2 obs.

Celithemis eponina

Halloween Pennant

Common2 obs.

Butorides virescens

green heron

Common2 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Common2 obs.

Libellula luctuosa

Widow Skimmer

Common2 obs.

Pachydiplax longipennis

Blue Dasher

Common2 obs.

Dermestes lardarius

Larder Beetle

Common1 obs.

Diabrotica undecimpunctata

Spotted Cucumber Beetle

Occasional1 obs.

Oxidus gracilis

Millipede

Occasional1 obs.

Xylotrechus colonus

Occasional1 obs.

Tramea lacerata

Black Saddlebags

Occasional1 obs.

Perithemis tenera

Eastern Amberwing

Occasional1 obs.

Ischnura verticalis

Eastern Forktail

Occasional1 obs.

Dolichovespula maculata

Baldfaced Hornet

Rare1 obs.

Lucidota atra

Black Firefly

Rare1 obs.

Euchlanis triquetra

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 100 species with 3-4 high-quality images each, detailed descriptions, and a downloadable PDF for offline use.

Premium field guide includes identification tips, seasonal patterns, and professional layout optimized for field use.