Protecting endangered and threatened insects: The insecticide strategy and the monarch butterfly listing decision

In 2022, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that they would assess the risk of all pesticides on endangered and threatened (i.e., listed) species. Nearly 100 insect species are listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), making it one of the largest listed animal groups. Correspondingly, in 2025, the EPA released the Final Insecticide Strategy to identify measures to mitigate the risk of agricultural insecticides to listed insects (and other invertebrates). These measures include implementation of practices that reduce insecticide spray drift and runoff off the field. To determine if various crop growers in different regions of Maryland are likely to meet the new mitigation requirements that might show up on future insecticide labels, we conducted anonymous surveys. The findings can help determine future training locations and guide the development of future educational training materials. The second part of our presentation will focus on the proposed decision to list the monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) under ESA. Specifically, we will touch upon the decision and its potential implications to agricultural growers, pesticide applicators, and pesticide researchers.