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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The Xerces Society joined a group of environmental and health organizations to petition the California Department of Pesticide Regulation to regulate the planting of crop seeds coated with systemic insecticides. California's pesticide regulatory system has a loophole that allows for unchecked use of insecticide-coated seed on farms throughout the state. Neonicotinoid insecticides are commonly used as seed coatings, resulting in significant contamination of California's waterways and ecosystems as they move off-field.
On August 18, 2020, the Xerces Society filed a petition to list the western ridged mussel as an endangered species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. The western ridged mussel has been lost from 43% of its historic range. In addition, sudden die offs of western ridged mussels have been observed in Oregon and Washington.
La luz artificial nocturna, LANA en forma abreviada, es probablemente uno de los principales causantes de la disminución de luciérnagas. La mayoría de las luciérnagas del mundo se comunican entre sí utilizando señales de luz bioluminiscente en forma de destellos, parpadeos o brillos. Estas especies están activas durante el crepúsculo o después de que anochece, de manera que las luces artificiales que se encienden durante estas horas pueden dificultar que estas luciérnagas se vean entre sí.
Artificial light at night, or ALAN for short, may be one of the main drivers of firefly declines. At least 80% of the firefly species found in the United States and Canada communicate with each other using bioluminescent light signals in the form of flashes, flickers, or glows. These species are active at dusk or after dark, and artificial lights that are on at this time can make it harder for them to see each other. It may also make fireflies more vulnerable to predators that would otherwise be repelled by their light.