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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Use the search functions to sort by publication type (books, guidelines, fact sheets, etc.), location, and/or subject (agriculture, gardens, pollinators, pesticides, etc.).
A Scientific Review of Causes, Consequences, and Management Alternatives
This report outlines key aspects of bark beetle outbreaks, their relationship to fire risk, and presents alternatives to large scale logging practices. Additionally, it suggests that government efforts to stem the infestation of insects in forests across the American West may be ineffective and are unlikely to mitigate future infestation or decrease wildfire risk. In fact, government efforts to cull and control insect outbreaks, which play “an important role in the development and maintenance of forest,” could have significant short-term and long-term impacts on national roadless forests, according to the report. Currently, state and federal agencies continue to spend millions to battle spreading mountain pine beetles and other insects across western states. In recent years, mountain pine beetles have infested millions of acres in Colorado, Wyoming and Montana.
Por favor complete los datos sobre las especies de libélulas migratorias para Pond Watch.
The Science Behind the Role These Insecticides Play in Harming Bees. 2nd Edition; Revised & Expanded
Now availaible as a revised and expanded second edition, our report examins the science behind the role these insecticides play in harming bees.
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.
High-quality pollinator and beneficial insect habitat is usually composed of native vegetation. Providing pollen and nectar resources, host plants, overwintering and nesting opportunities, and protection from pesticides are all critical to quality habitat. Native habitat plantings can be established from seed or with live plants, also known as plugs. Plugs are a great way of establishing small-scale habitat in a variety of locations such as city parks, on farms, residential gardens, and more! The strategies outlined for plug planting in this document are broad to cover multiple regions.
Bumble bees (Bombus spp.) are critical pollinators of both food crops and wild plants. Active from spring through fall, these large native bees can fly long distances and are able to forage in cool, wet temperatures by shivering their thoracic flight muscles to generate heat. Bumble bees are also known for their ability to “buzz pollinate”—a behavior in which vibration of the flight muscles at a specific frequency facilitates pollination of certain plants.
The Makah copper butterfly (Tharsalea mariposa makah) was proposed for listing in 2024 through a petition submitted by the Xerces Society.
The Makah copper lives in a special environment, the coastal Sphagnum moss peatlands in Clallam County, WA. As caterpillars, Makah coppers feed on bog cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos). Adults are active in the summer and can typically be seen from late July through August. Among the various threats this species faces, habitat loss, degradation, and climate change are the most pressing.
Seeking protection for the Crotch bumble bee (Bombus crotchii), Franklin's bumble bee (Bombus franklini), Suckley cuckoo bumble bee (Bombus suckleyi), and western bumble bee (Bombus occidentalis).
To see the full list of brochures available for download, click here.
Assessment Form and Guide
This pollinator habitat assessment guide is designed for a single site on a farm or agricultural landscape.
