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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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.
Pollinator Habitat Assessment Guide
This pollinator habitat assessment guide is designed for natural areas and rangelands.
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.
Nachtelijk kunstlicht is mogelijk een van de grootste oorzaken voor krimpende populaties vuurvliegjes. Europese soorten vuurvliegjes gebruiken bioluminescentie en maken zo zelf licht. Door te flitsen, knipperen of te gloeien communiceren ze met elkaar. Deze soorten zijn actief bij schemering of in het duister. Kunstlicht kan het dan moeilijker maken voor hen om elkaar te zien. Het kan vuurvliegjes ook kwetsbaarder maken voor roofdieren die normaal afgeschrokken zouden worden door hun licht.