Many of us are aware of bees as important pollinators, but did you know that butterflies, birds, bats, moths, beetles, flies, and wasps are pollinators too? All of these pollinators play crucial roles in sustaining our ecosystems and helping plants reproduce. One out of every three bites of food is only possible thanks to the hard work of pollinators; so let's learn about some of the lesser known, but incredibly important pollinators! What is Pollination?Pollinators visit flowers to drink nectar or feed off of pollen, and they transport pollen grains on their bodies as they move from one flower to the next. When pollinators move pollen grains from the anther (male part) of a flower to the stigma (female part), pollination occurs. Without pollination, fertilization and the development of seeds, fruits, and the next generation of plants cannot happen, meaning we would lose countless fruits, vegetables and nuts, as well as ½ the world’s oils, fibers and raw materials. Pollinators help provide us with: field crops, orchard fruits, berry crops, oilseed crops, buts, and other life necessities (like chocolate and coffee!) Did you know that between 75% and 95% of all flowering plants on Earth need help with pollination from pollinators? Pollinators provide pollination to over 180,000 different plant species and more than 1200 crops. They also support healthy ecosystems that clean our air, stabilize soils, protect from severe weather, and support other wildlife. Some pollinators are also extremely beneficial in providing natural pest control by eating pests, which further helps to support successful pollination and crop growth. Bees and BeetlesBees are the most well known pollinators, with Canada being home to over 800 species of native ground and twig nesting bees. Although we tend to mainly think of honey bees (which were actually imported from Europe almost 400 years ago), native bees visit and pollinate many crops, and in many cases they are actually better at transferring pollen than honey bees are! Honey bees can't pollinator all crops or some plants, which rely heavily on wild bees to pollinate them. Native bees visit the widest range of flowers and crops of any pollinator group, so it is vital that their nesting habitat needs are met, and suitable sources of nectar, pollen, and water are provided. Some native bees include:
Beetles were one of the first pollinators to ever arise, and are known to pollinate pawpaws, magnolia, and yellow pond lilies. Beetles became primary pollinators due to their large population in the Mesozoic around 200 million years ago! Canada has over 9,000 species of beetles, including Ladybugs the Checkered beetle, which pollinates by landing on flowers, collecting pollen on their bodies, and spreading it with each landing. Some species of beetles mimic other insects and can resemble ants, wasps, and other beetles. Butterflies and MothsButterflies are also well known pollinators, who prefer open and sunny areas and need flowers that have good landing platforms, since they cannot hover while feeding. Butterflies need open areas like bare earth and large stones to bask on, and moist soil for needed minerals. They are key contributors to cross-pollination since they drink nectar bit by bit and land on each plant to feed. Butterflies like bright flowers, water sources, and specific host plants for their caterpillars. They also eat rotten fruit and even dung, so they can help tidy your gardens! Although Monarch butterflies are the most commonly known pollinator, the Canadian Tiger Swallowtail and Silvery Blue Butterfly are also notable pollinators. Butterflies are mostly in danger due to diminishing habitats and insecticides; so supporting conservation efforts in parks and urban forestry can help create safe spaces for them, as well as eliminating or reducing systemic pesticide use. Moths pull the graveyard pollinating shift while butterflies sleep! They are great pollinators for woody species like trees and shrubs, and they actually interact with more plant species than bees or butterflies do. Moths are often overlooked as pollinators, but they are important for night-blooming plants, and some studies have also shown they may be pollinators for blueberries, raspberries, and apples as well. Moths do pollinate by drinking nectar, but they transport the majority of pollen from the hairs on their chests; collecting and depositing lots of rich pollen with each plant they visit. Wasps and FliesAlthough wasps may not be as efficient as their bee relatives are at pollination, they still transfer essential pollen between flowers on the fine hairs of their bodies. Wasps are key pollinators for figs, which depend on highly specialized fig wasps for production and development. They are also fantastic pest control agents, since they feed their young insects and other types of meat. Some species of wasps eat pests like tomato hornworms, aphids, cabbage worms, spiders, caterpillars, ants and flies; helping to control the destructive influence some insects can have on gardens and crops. Flies are one of the most diverse groups of pollinators, and they easily transport pollen from flower to flower. Flies pollinate plants like pawpaw's, skunk cabbages, goldenrod, and members of the carrot family. Pollinator Partnership's Pollinator of the Year for 2024 is the Flower Fly! Flower flies, also known as hover flies, are powerhouse pollinators and pest control pros; visiting at least 72% of global food crops and 70% of wildflowers. They incredible flies are able to mimic the bright colours and patterns or bees and wasps to protect themselves from predators like birds, dragonflies and spiders, but they are harmless and not capable of stinging. Flower flies can be found on every continent except Antarctica, and they have more than 6,000 identified species! They help pollinate strawberries, buckwheat, broccoli, lettuce, plums & cherries, and more. As pest control agents, their larvae each eat up to 400 aphids during their development, which can help control pests in agricultural and home gardens. Bats and HummingbirdsWhile bat species in Canada are not pollinators, they are instrumental in pollinating plants in the USA and Mexico. Over 500 species of flowers rely on bats as major or exclusive pollinators; including bananas, peaches, and blue agave. In Canada, bats are incredible pest control agents; by eating many insects that damage crops like corn, bats help reduce crop damage and unneeded pesticide use. Did you know that 1 bat can eat up to 1,000 mosquitoes in 1 hour, and can eat up to their body weight in insects each night! Ontario is home to 8 species of bats; but 4 of them are endangered because of White Nose Syndrome, habitat loss, and slow reproduction. White Nose Syndrome is a disease caused by a fungus that was accidentally introduced to North America around 2006. It grows in cold, dark and damp places, and has killed millions of bats in North America. We can help to protect bats from White Nose Syndrome by providing bat box shelters, planting native seed mixes to attract insects which are food sources for bats, and by staying out of caves or mines where bats are hibernating; as we can accidentally spread the fungus on our shoes, clothing, or gear. Bats are also at risk globally due to unwarranted fear or superstitions, despite being extremely beneficial pest controllers and pollinators. Hummingbirds are the primary birds which play a role in pollination in North America. Their long beaks and tongues draw nectar from tubular flowers, and they carry pollen grains on their beaks and feathers. The Ruby-Throated hummingbird is the only common species in Ontario, and they play an important role in the food web; pollinating a variety of flowering plants, some of which have specifically adapted to pollination by hummingbirds! They feed by day on nectar, and also eat insects like fruit-flies and gnats. Pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, and other chemicals which kill spiders negatively affect hummingbirds, since they use spider silk in their nests. We also need to be careful when hanging hummingbird feeders, as the nectar will spoil and grow dangerous bacteria, so the best thing to do is provide them with plants and not hanging feeders. Threats to PollinatorsSadly, many pollinator populations are in decline due to loss of feeding and nesting habitats, pollution, the misuse of chemicals, and loss of native plants. But we can help pollinators by learning about them, increasing naturalized areas, planting native pollinator plants, providing pollinator-friendly landscapes and water, and reducing pesticide use. You can also support local farmers and beekeepers, like those at the Horton Farmers’ Market, through buying their local and organic products. Keep an eye out for our blog on invasive and native plants, and suggestions for how to help pollinators in your own garden, as well as a blog on what the City of St. Thomas's Parks Department has done and is continuing to do to help pollinators and certify us as a Bee City! Until then, try to take some moments to notice the plants and pollinators around you, and thank them for all of their hard work.
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