Resources & Guides

• Biouminescent Insects "If it’s tiny, winged, and flashing in your backyard, it might be a firefly—but it might not. Other species of bugs also glow and use bioluminescence to communicate, find mates, and scare off predators. Here are a few bugs that are commonly misidentified as fireflies—and how to tell the difference."

• Using A Sweep Net by Texas Junior Naturalists offers practical information including links to bug guides by Order.

• Beetle Banks for Beneficial Insects "Beetle banks are linear strips of perennial native bunch grasses that provide overwintering shelter for predatory ground beetles, spiders, and other beneficial invertebrates. These grassy strips are sometimes interplanted with native wildflowers to increase plant diversity and support pollinators and other beneficial insects that consume pollen and/or nectar. Beetle banks are planted within or adjacent to crop fields to promote movement of predators into the crops. When beetle banks are present on farms, natural predators have more opportunities to colonize crop fields and regulate crop pests.
  
  The use of beetle banks as a conservation practice originated in Great Britain, where they are now a common method to regulate grain pests such as aphids and blossom midges. In the United States, beetle banks are increasingly being adopted in the Pacific Northwest, Upper Midwest, and elsewhere, in a wide variety of cropping systems including large-scale grain crops and vegetable production. Overall, beetle banks are a great tool to support beneficial insects, pollinators, and other wildlife on farms, especially when existing shelter and floral resources are limited.

This fact sheet provides information on planning, locating, and installing beetle banks in the Upper Midwest, including recommended grasses and flowers that can be planted." 

North America

• Pollinator Conservation Resource Center "Region-specific resources to aid in the planning, establishment, restoration, and maintenance of pollinator habitat.
  
  Welcome to the Pollinator Conservation Resource Center! Here we offer region-specific collections of publications, native plant and seed suppliers, and other resources to aid in planning, establishing, restoring, and maintaining pollinator habitat—as well as materials to help you learn about the various invertebrates you might encounter.
  
  To view resources relevant to where you live and work, start by selecting your region from the map or the list."

• Regional Milkweed Guides "are a series of regional guides to the native milkweeds of North America."

Washington State

• The Native Pollinator Habitat Restoration Guide (PDF) "Best Management Practices for the Puget Sound lowlands"

Oceana

Australia

• Powerful Pollinators "is a program designed to increase the prevalence, health and diversity of pollinators in the landscape. The program encourages the strategic planting of ‘trees for bees’ and other pollinators and provides Powerful Pollinators Planting Guides developed by experienced botanists and field ecologists for use by landholders.
  
  The Guides specify relevant information about pollinator habitat and floral resources to enable users such as land managers, Landcare groups, nurseries and gardeners to select the most appropriate indigenous species that provide value for pollinators."

Tools & Apps

Europe

UK

Northern Ireland

• CEDaR (Center for Environmental Data and Recording) Online Recording Click the link to see what projects are available. They have specific links for Owls, Butterflies, Marine, Invasive Species, Lady Birds and more! Some of the links will take you to projects for specific regions including the Ring of Gullion and Belfast Hills.

International

• Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation "is an international nonprofit organization that protects the natural world through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitats. As a science-based organization, we both conduct our own research and rely upon the most up-to-date information to guide our conservation work. Our key program areas are: pollinator conservation, endangered species conservation, and reducing pesticide use and impacts."

Europe

UK

• Buglife are the only conservation charity in Europe devoted to the conservation of invertebrates. Everything from glow-worms to garden spiders! You can support Buglife by joining or making a donation.
  
  Report sightings at the fantastic U.K. Glow-worm survey page"

Maps

North America

• Pollinator Conservation Resource Center "Region-specific resources to aid in the planning, establishment, restoration, and maintenance of pollinator habitat.
  
  Welcome to the Pollinator Conservation Resource Center! Here we offer region-specific collections of publications, native plant and seed suppliers, and other resources to aid in planning, establishing, restoring, and maintaining pollinator habitat—as well as materials to help you learn about the various invertebrates you might encounter.
  
  To view resources relevant to where you live and work, start by selecting your region from the map or the list."