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!
Find Publications
Use the search functions to sort by publication type (books, guidelines, fact sheets, etc.), location, and/or subject (agriculture, gardens, pollinators, pesticides, etc.).
Case Study Tech Note
This case study presents a summary of a three-year project to increase the commercial supply of native plant materials for western monarchs, specifically early-emerging milkweeds and late-season nectar plants of San Joaquin Valley ecotypes.
The Morrison bumble bee (Bombus morrisoni) was proposed for listing in 2023 through a petition submitted by the Xerces Society.
The large marble butterfly (Euchloe ausonides) was proposed for listing in 2023 through a petition submitted by the Xerces Society.
Essays on Invertebrate Conservation
Moths are all around us. They share our natural areas and gardens, and sometimes they share our food crops, and even our clothes. Love them or despise them, moths play profoundly important roles in our environment—as pollinators; as food for songbirds, bats, and other wildlife; as part of the clean-up crew that recycles organic waste; and more—and they deserve our conservation attention.
This fact sheet provides detailed information on hybrid sunflower crop pollinators, including a list of the most important native bees that visit this crop, and steps that can be taken to protect or enhance habitat for these pollinators. The information provided is based on field research conducted by Dr. Claire Kremen (University of California, Berkeley), Dr. Neal Williams and Nikki Nicola.
This fact sheet provides detailed information on watermelon crop pollinators, including a list of the most important native bees that visit this crop, and steps that can be taken to protect or enhance habitat for these pollinators. The information provided is based on field research conducted by Dr. Claire Kremen (University of California, Berkeley), Dr. Neal Williams and Nikki Nicola.
The threatened species categories used in Red Data Books and Red Lists have been in place for almost 30 years. The IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria provide an easily and widely understood system for classifying species at high risk of global extinction, so as to focus attention on conservation measures designed to protect them. This latest version of the classification system was adopted by the IUCN Council in February 2001 and reflects comments from the IUCN and SSC memberships and the final meeting of the Criteria Review Working Group.
Ecological Pest Control Solutions
Lady beetles, syrphid flies, lacewings, and other beneficial insects prey upon crop pests, reducing or eliminating the need for pesticides. This comprehensive guide describes how to recognize these insects and their habitat, and how to evaluate, design, and improve habitat for them. Authors Eric Lee-Mäder, Jennifer Hopwood, Mace Vaughan, Scott Hoffman Black, and Lora Morandin discuss the ecology of native beneficial insects and how to increase their numbers on your farm through simple conservation strategies.
How you can attract and protect beautiful, beneficial insects
Protect and nurture the best-loved of garden guests: butterflies, nature’s kaleidoscopes with wings. The Xerces Society introduces you to a variety of butterflies who need our help, and provides suggestions for native plants to attract them, habitat designs to help them thrive, and garden practices to accommodate all their stages of life.
Protecting North America’s Bees and Butterflies
Attracting Native Pollinators is Illustrated with hundreds of color photographs and dozens of specially created illustrations across four sections: pollinators and pollination, taking action, bees of North America, and creating a pollinator-friendly landscape. Read it for your own enjoyment or use it as a teaching guide to inform others.