Category Archives: Policy

Rusty Patch Bumblebee Redux

Posted on February 4, 2017 by jjneal

Last month. I posted about the Rusty Patch Bumblebee being added to the endangered species list with a recovery plan from the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). The FWS finalized the plan before the Trump administration took office. However, … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, Endangered Species, Environment, Policy | 1 Comment

Monarch Milkweed Math

Posted on January 31, 2017 by jjneal

John Pleasants* estimates the numbers of milkweed plants lost to changes in agricultural practices and the extent of the conservation effort required to replace them. Almost 900 million milkweed plants have been lost from corn and soybean fields (mostly) and … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, Endangered Species, Environment, Policy | 1 Comment

Living With Apple Maggot

Posted on January 21, 2017 by jjneal

Apple maggots are pests of apples in the Eastern United States where active control measures are necessary.  Apple maggots overwinter as pupae, lay eggs on apples in summer and pupate in the soil in fall. The apple maggot can develop … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, Environment, Invasive Species, News, Pest Management, Policy | 1 Comment

Do Not Mow or Spray

Posted on January 19, 2017 by jjneal

The State of Indiana has announced a new conservation program called CORRIDORS (Conservation On Rivers and Roadways Intended to Develop Opportunities for Resources and Species). The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has 3 partner agencies, Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), USDA … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, Endangered Species, Environment, Policy | 2 Comments

Living With Protected Pollinators

Posted on January 10, 2017 by jjneal

The US Fish and Wildlife Service has added the Rusty Patch Bumble Bee, Bombus affinis, to the endangered species list. The species is reduced to small populations in 13 northern states including Indiana. Its habitat is tallgrass prairie and grasslands … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, Endangered Species, Environment, Policy | 4 Comments

Insects As Fish Food

Posted on December 18, 2016 by jjneal

Many fish are predators and naturally consume insects as part of their diet. Thus, it may seem strange that the European Union in its oversight of food production does not currently allow the use of commercially reared insects in feed … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, Food, News, Policy | 1 Comment

Zika In Texas Update

Posted on December 15, 2016 by jjneal

This week (12/14/16) the CDC issued a travel alert for Brownsville & Cameron County, TX. Since the first Zika case in this area was documented on the last week in November, additional Zika virus cases been reported in 4 people and the … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, Health, News, Policy, Zika | 1 Comment