[Pollinator] Germany acts to protect insects

[David Inouye]

Science Magazine 365:1063.


      Conservation


Embedded Image

Bumble bees are expected to benefit from Germany's insect protection 
efforts.

"PHOTO: NABU/HELGE MAY"

Spurred by research showing drastic losses of insects across Germany in 
recent decades, its federal government announced on 4 September a €100 
million “action plan for insect protection,” including at least €25 
million per year for research and monitoring. The blueprint, expected to 
become law, also promises to phase out all use of glyphosate, the 
world's most common weed killer, by December 2023. The broad-spectrum 
herbicide often ends up killing the native plants insects rely on. 
Regulators approving new pesticides will consider effects on 
biodiversity. The plan adds protections for insect-rich habitats such as 
meadows and hedges and includes measures to decrease light pollution, 
which can disrupt nocturnal insects' behavior and prevent them from 
finding food and mates.

-- 
Dr. David W. Inouye
Professor Emeritus
Department of Biology
University of Maryland

Principal Investigator
Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory

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