As a science-based organization, the Xerces Society produces dozens of publications annually, all of which employ the best available research to guide effective conservation efforts. Our publications range from guidelines for land managers, to brochures offering overviews of key concepts related to invertebrate conservation, from books about supporting pollinators in farmland, to region-specific plant lists. We hope that whatever you are seeking—whether it's guidance on making a home or community garden pollinator-friendly, advice on developing a local pesticide reduction strategy, or detailed information on restoring habitat—you will find it here!
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Guidelines for Providing Native Bee Habitat on Farms
Farming for Bees outlines ways to protect and enhance habitat for native crop pollinators in the farm landscape. Containing a wealth of information about common groups of native bees, their habitat requirements, and conservation strategies to increase their numbers on farms.
This 16-page bulletin will help you use cover crops to encourage populations of pollinators and beneficial insects on your farm while you address your other resource concerns. It begins with a broad overview of pollinator and beneficial insect ecology, then describes cover crop selection and management, how to make cover crops work on your farm, and helpful and proven crop rotations. It will also touch on the limitations of cover crops and pesticide harm reduction, among other topics.
Guidelines for Conservation Biological Control
This publication outlines the ecology of many native beneficial insect groups and highlights recommended strategies for conservation biological control. While native predator and parasitoid insects alone may not solve all of a producer’s pest problems, they can be an important part of an Integrated Pest Management system and contribute to reduced need for pesticides over time.
Deciding which pesticide product to use can be a complex process. This detailed guide, produced jointly by the extension services of Oregon State University, Washington State University, and the University of Idaho, offers detailed guidance on how to select and apply insecticides. Extensive tables list the toxicity to bees of dozens of chemicals and how long after application they remain hazardous to bees in the field.
Effects of Neonicotinoid Insecticides on Agriculturally Important Beneficial Insects
This report details potential negative impacts of neonicotinoid insecticides on important beneficial insects. It also makes recommendations on how we can better protect important beneficials like beetles and wasps. Beyond the Birds and the Bees moves the spotlight from the risks neonicotinoids pose to bees to the impacts of neonicotinoids to invertebrates such as earthworms or lady beetles.
In these recommendations, the Xerces Society seeks to share information about native pollinators and their needs in order for state plans to address the diverse concerns that managed and native pollinators face. Specific regional information to support plan development is available through the Xerces Society website and other resources.
A Preliminary Review of Potential Risk to Aquatic Invertebrates
This report demonstrates how the health of California’s rivers and streams are at risk from contamination from pesticide use. This report summarizes the state’s water quality monitoring data, provides an in-depth look at the latest research into the risks neonicotinoids pose to aquatic invertebrates, and includes recommendations for action.
The Science and Myths Behind Managing Forest Insect “Pests”'
This 88-page report demonstrates that industrial logging is not the solution to combating outbreaks of bark beetles or defoliators, such as tussock moth or spruce budworm. This includes a review of relevant studies on the importance of insects to forest function and the effectiveness of methods used to control forest “pest” insects, and a compilation of summaries of over 150 scientific papers and Forest Service documents.
A Review of the Impacts of Oil Spills on Marine Invertebrates
Exploring the impacts of oil spills on invertebrates of all types, from corals and zooplankton to crabs and oysters, the report clearly establishes that an oil spill has immediate impacts on invertebrates, and continues affecting wildlife for years, even decades, after the cleanup crews have left. The report reviews the significance of invertebrates to the marine ecosystem and commercial fisheries, identifies the impacts of oil spills, and makes recommendations on how to reduce these impacts. It includes a section on the Deepwater Horizon and a series of profiles of species of particular concern in the Gulf of Mexico.
As concerned scientists, we are writing to ask you to postpone the renewal of permits for growing all Bt crops until you have developed a rigorous program for assessing their ecological risks and until you can ensure that strong, effective resistance management plans are in place.
