Insect Pollinators


Encourage Native Insect Pollinators to Visit by Meeting their Needs

  • Avoid pesticide use.  Especially avoid use of Bacillus thuringensis, broad-spectrum insecticides, and any insecticide that is broadcast broadly in the environment.  This is particularly toxic to the larvae of butterflies and moths.
  • Plant a variety of plants.  
  • Plant in masses.
  • Plant species that bloom across the entire growing season.
  • Provide places for nesting.

Bees

There are approximately 315 species of native bees in Florida and 4000 in North America.  Florida has at least 29 bee species are endemic (found only in Florida) (http://www.floridasnativebees.com/the-bees.html). 

Native bees may nest in groups or communities or may be solitary.

The honeybee is not native to Florida.  While it is attracted to native Florida plants and does pollinate them, native plants are not dependent on honeybees.  

The flowers that are visited by bees are typically (USFWS): 

  • Full of nectar
  • Brightly colored with petals that are usually blue or yellow or a mixture of these (bees cannot see red)
  • Sweetly aromatic or have a minty fragrance
  • Open in daytime
  • Provide landing platforms
  • Often bilaterally symmetrical (one side of the flower is a mirror image of the other) or  tubular with nectar at base of tube

Flies

Flies include many different types of insects including house flies, mosquitoes, horseflies, etc.  Amongst them are many families and genera that are important to plants and that are innocent in terms of biting, invading homes, etc.  Even some of the biting flies are pollinators (some mosquitoes pollinate orchids, including Habenaria spp.) (USFWS).

Some flies are important as general plant pollinators.  Also called long-tongued flies (e.g., syrphids, bombylids) feed on same flower types that bees do.  Many of these flies look very much like bees.

Short-tongued flies feed on flowers that imitate other fly food sources. The flowers of theses plants may trap the insect inside the flower while they feed, for example Dutchman's pipe (Aristolochia spp.).

Other, such as carrion flies, are attracted by  putrid odors that often ressemble rotting organic matter.  Among the plants that attract these flies are pawpaws, jack-in-the-pulpit, trilliums and some orchids.

Flowers that attract flies generally have the following characteristics (list from USFWS):

  • Pale and dull to dark brown or purple
  • Sometimes flecked with translucent patches
  • Putrid order, like rotting meat , carrion, dung, humus, sap and blood
  • Nectar guides not present (or are ignored)
  • Produce pollen
  • Flowers are funnel like or complex traps (Aristolochia spp.)

Beetles

Some plant species, especially some in families that are generally considered to have evolved early in the evoloution of flowering plants, rely on beetles for pollination.

Fflowers that are visited by beetles are typically (USFWS):

  • Bowl-shaped with sexual organs exposed (magnolias, tulip-tree).
  • White, to dull white or green
  • Strongly fruity
  • Open during the day
  • Moderate nectar producers
  • May be large solitary flowers (i.e. magnolias, waterlilies)
  • May be clusters of small flowers (goldenrods)

Ants 

Ants are attracted to nectar and other sweet substances.  They are not generally effective as pollinators (they are thieves).  Some ants do assist plants in other ways, such as protecting them agains other, unwanted, pests.  For example, some plants, especially Acacia spp. have non-floral nectaries to attract ants which then rid the plant of sucking insects such as aphids.

The flowers that are visited by ants are typically (USFWS):

  • Low growing
  • Have small inconspicuous flowers
  • Have flowers that are close to the stem

Moths

Moths are attracted to flowers that are typically (USFWS):

  • In clusters and provide landing platforms
  • White or dull colors (moths active during the day also use some bright-colored flowers)
  • Open late afternoon or night
  • Ample nectar producers, with nectar deeply hidden, such as morning glory, tobacco, yucca, and gardenia.

 

Find Plants to Attract Pollinators

The link below will generate a state-wide list.  You can refine it by adding your location.

 

References

USFWS.  undated.  Attracting Pollinators to Your Garden. Using Native Plants.   https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/documents/AttractingPollinatorsV5.pdf  (this is a colorful brochure aimed at the general public).

USFWS. undated.  Ant Pollination.  https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/animals/ants.shtml

USFWS.  undated.  Bee Pollination.   https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/animals/bees.shtml

USFWS.  undated.  Beetle Pollination.   https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/animals/beetles.shtml.

USFWS.  undated.  Fly Pollination.   https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/animals/flies.shtml.

USFWS.  undated.  Moth Pollination.  https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/animals/moths.shtml.

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