Bee City USA July 2019 E-News
National Moth Week Is July 20-28
That's some proboscis you've got there white-lined sphinx moth! This moth is active both day and night. Photo: Stephanie McKnight/Xerces Society
We've all heard, "Love your mother." Now, we want you to, "Love your moth-er!"

Globally, there are about nine moth species for every one butterfly species and yet butterflies seem to get all of the attention. While there is a lot more research to be done on these mostly nocturnal animals, we know that many of them are important pollinators of the wild plants with which they co-evolved. Equally important, s cientists are beginning to learn about their value to crop pollination. Many plants intentionally release their nectar at night to entice moths, their preferred pollinator, to visit.

Moths are worth getting to know, If for no other reason, for their stunning feathery antennae--the most flamboyant in the pollinator world. One way to distinguish butterflies from moths is that butterfly antennae are not feathery and tend to have clubs on the end.

If you're interested, you may want to mark your calendar to attend Mothapalooza in July in Ohio. Although registration is full this year, the event is held every two years.

National Moth Week is the last full week of July, the perfect time to identify a dark place to host a mothing night. Just hang up a white sheet, bring out the blacklights, load INaturalist's SEEK app on your phone, and prepare to meet some fascinating creatures. Here are more detailed instructions for hosting a moth ID night.

In honor of National Moth Week, we are sharing a Xerces blog about moths published in 2017.
SO I'M TABLING ABOUT POLLINATOR CONSERVATION, WHAT DO I SAY?
You just can't find food pollinated by bees at the tailgate market without your antennae nose! Photo: Phyllis Stiles /Xerces Society
Most Bee City USA affiliates regularly table at events, especially farmers’ markets. These smiling volunteers (“pollenteers”) stand ready to share literature, collect emails for newsletter lists, and answer questions about Bee City, pollinators, and more.
 
We hope this blog helps you better prepare volunteers to be pollinator advocates at events.
BEE CITY USA AFFILIATES IN THE NEWS
Oregon's Rogue Valley Bee City USA affiliates (Talent, Ashland, Southern Oregon University, Phoenix and Gold Hill) give new meaning to "cross pollination"! They came out for Medford City Council's vote on the Bee City USA resolution on April 4 to show their support.
NATIONAL POLLINATOR CONFERENCES
US Fish & Wildlife Service features a pollinator each month. The Calliope Hummingbird is the current pollinator. Among its food sources is tree sap! Photo: Alan Schmierer. CC01.0
INSECT APOCALYPSE WEBINAR RECORDING
Did you miss Xerces Society Executive Director Scott Hoffman Black's June webinar in the Natural Areas Association Webinar Series-- "Insect Apocalypse? What Is Really Happening, Why It Matters and How Natural Area Managers Can Help?"

You're in luck! You can listen to the recording.
NOMINATIONS FOR NAPPC ROADSIDE MANAGERS AWARDS ARE DUE JULY 31
Photo: Jennifer Hopwood/Xerces Society
Has a government transportation agency impressed you with their efforts to create and enhance pollinator habitat along roadways? If so, you may want to nominate them, or encourage them to nominate themselves, for the 2019 NAPPC Pollinator Roadside Management Awards, deadline July 31!


With an estimated 17 million acres of roadsides in the care of state transportation agencies in the United States, managing roadsides is a significant conservation opportunity for pollinators. Roadsides form an extensive network of habitats that crisscross our landscapes. In many areas, particularly urban and intensely farmed regions, roadsides may provide the only natural or semi-natural habitat. Showcasing pollinator-friendly roadside management practices encourages other roadside managers to consider adopting the same practices.

OUR NATIONAL NETWORK IS GROWING!
Hillsboro, Oregon's mayor, city council, and committee celebrate Bee City USA vote on June 18! Some even donned antennae,
The best part of the Bee City USA network is that we are teaching and learning from one another how to mobilize our communities for pollinator conservation. Check the current Bee City and Bee Campus pages to see the most up-to-date lists of our 164 affiliates in 39 states. While you're there, check out our new maps that show which ecoregion each affiliate calls home.

Welcome to the most recent affiliates to join our network:

  • Hillsboro, Oregon
  • Medford, Oregon
  • Vienna, Virginia
  • University of San Francisco (San Francisco, California)
  • Syracuse University (Syracuse, New York)
  • Saint Joseph's College (Standish, Maine)
  • Wesley College (Smyrna, Delaware)
  • Tennessee Technological University (Cookeville, Tennessee)
  • Black Hills State University (Spearfish, South Dakota)
Bee City USA is an initiative of the Xerces Society. Our conservation work is powered by our donors. Your  tax deductible donation  will help us to protect the life that sustains us.
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Bee City USA, An Initiative of the Xerces Society | 503-395-5367| beecityusa@xerces.org| www.beecityusa.org