Quick Key Facts The Endangered Species Act To understand what “endangered species” means, it’s important to unpack the Endangered Species Act (ESA), which followed the Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966, the first piece of federal endangered species legislation. Enacted by the U.S. Congress in 1973, the ESA states that the federal government has a […]
Bumble bees are synonymous with summer, buzzing about pollinating flowers and crops. Now, one common North American bee may be joining the more than 70 pollinator species listed as endangered. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service has found that petitions for nine new animal species may warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act, including […]
Rehabilitated farmland used for solar energy facilities that are planted with native wildflowers and grasses can create lush habitats for insects, birds and bees, a new study has found. The research, conducted by scientists with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Argonne National Laboratory, found that insect numbers tripled in […]
Since the 1990s, honey yields in the United States have been decreasing, but scientists and honey producers have not known why, according to a press release from Pennsylvania State University (Penn State). Now, a new study by researchers at Penn State has revealed hints as to the reasons behind dwindling honey supplies. “Pollinators are an […]
Wondering what to plant as the days get shorter and long shadows creep across your garden? There are plenty of shade-loving plants to keep your yard vibrant during months of low light or abundant cloud cover. Coral Bells (Heuchera) Heuchera in the Hudson Valley / Jenny Lee Fowler Coral bells, also known as alumroot, are […]
Among autumn’s falling leaves, you might see a familiar flash of black and orange against the blue sky. Once again, migratory monarch butterflies are on the move from their summer breeding grounds to their overwintering habitats. These spectacular insects travel up to 2,500 miles across the Americas, sometimes covering 50-100 miles a day. Like migrating […]
The loss of pollinator insects is putting some of the most popular tropical crops in the world — like cocoa, coffee, mango and watermelon — at risk, a new study led by researchers from University College London (UCL) and the Natural History Museum has found. The research team looked at how climate change and land […]
Insects provide many essential benefits to ecosystems, including pollinating crops and flowers, helping to maintain healthy soil and recycling nutrients. They also keep populations at healthy levels through their own food chains. A new project by researchers from the University of Melbourne has found a way to increase insect species numbers in a small urban […]
An individual of the Vespa velutina species, also known as the yellow-legged hornet, has been found live in the U.S. for the first time. The hornet was found near Savannah, Georgia and is a predator of honey bees and other native pollinators. The yellow-legged hornet is native to Southeast Asia and is related to invasive […]