Fluffy bumblebees are undeniably adorable and ladybugs have plenty of charm, but the importance of pollinators extends far beyond their looks. These small but mighty beasties are essential for plant reproduction, but they also preserve biodiversity and help to safeguard the world’s food supply. But unfortunately, as many news sources will tell you, pollinator populations are on the decline in a big way.
I write about pollinators a lot and I also speak about them at workshops, but I haven’t a done a deep dive into why they are so important on this blog. I figured it was about time to take a deeper look at the world of pollinators and why these little critters are critically important for plants, animals, and people too!
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Swallowtail butterflies are “flagship species” that serve as mascots for lesser known pollinators, like beetles!
What Are Pollinators?
When most people think about pollinators, they think about the big three: bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. These pollinators are known as “flagship species” and, thanks to their many charms, they’re used as a sort of mascot for pollinators. But while bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are undeniably important pollinators, there are other efficient pollinators that are often overlooked, such as:
Flies, including hoverflies
Moths
Wasps
Beetles, including ladybugs and fireflies
Mosquitoes
Ants
Bats
Frogs
Birds
As you can see, many of the “lesser known” pollinators are often maligned. For instance, flies have an “icky” reputation in many areas; however, certain plants are exclusively pollinated by these insects. In fact, flies are key pollinators of many food crops, including cacao (ahem… chocolate!), mangoes, and avocados!
Beetles were one of the first pollinators. They evolved before bees!
5 Fun Pollinator Facts!
Beetles are some of the oldest pollinators around and they evolved before bees. Magnolias and other plants that existed before bees entered the picture evolved flowers that are especially attractive to beetles.
Only female mosquitoes drink blood. Male mosquitoes are nectar-eating vegetarians!
Honeybees are native to Europe and they aren’t endangered. However, many of North America’s native bees are at risk of extinction.
Many of North America’s native bees are solitary insects and they don’t live in hives. Instead, these critters shelter in tree cavities, hollow plant stems, leaf litter, and bee hotels.
The original bees evolved from wasps!
Not a bee! This is a hoverfly… a type of fly.
Why Pollinators Matter
Although some plants are wind-pollinated, about 80% of flowering plants and 75% of our staple food crops rely on insect pollinators. Without pollinators, these plants wouldn’t be able to reproduce — a fact that has big implications for biodiversity and the world’s food supply. In fact, it’s not an overstatement to say that our future and the future of pollinators are inextricably intertwined!
Monocultures occur when a single type of plant is grown in a large area — think sprawling fields of wheat and rolling hills filled with corn. These types of crops are wind-pollinated, which makes them less dependent on pollinators for reproduction; however, relying on monoculture foods is a risky choice as plants of the same kind are vulnerable to the same types of pests and diseases. Because these plants have the same vulnerabilities, it increases the likelihood that a single pest could wipe out an entire crop in one go.
By pollinating a wide range of plants, insect pollinators work to safeguard our food supply, but they also protect the biodiversity of plants and the animals that depend on them. That saying, “Big things come in small packages” is certainly true for pollinators. They are small, but man, oh man, are they mighty!
Pollinators are heavily dependent on native plants… like these coneflowers.
But what exactly is the causing this decline in insects and is there any way to stop it? Well, scientists are still noodling over this point, but most studies agree that the decline in pollinators is due to 4 main issues:
Urban sprawl and habitat destruction makes it harder for pollinators to find food and shelter.
Habitat loss and habitat fragmentation
In my opinion, habitat loss and fragmentation is the easiest issue to visualize and also the easiest issue for backyard gardeners to address in the ways that we can. Habitat loss occurs when meadows are paved over or forests are clearcut, while fragmentation occurs when roads, fences, or buildings are constructed in the middle of habitat, interrupting pollinator movement and making it harder for insects to shelter, nest, and find food. Growing pollinator habitat gardens is one of the best ways to counteract habitat loss, but creating more community-wide green spaces and restoring wild habitats are critical points too.
Many pesticides harm pollinators, in addition to the pests they’re intended to treat.
The overuse of pesticides
Pesticide use is a big issue in large scale farming, but it occurs to a lesser degree in backyard gardens too. Many common pesticides kill pollinators in addition to the pests they’re intended to treat. But even if pesticides don’t kill pollinators outright, some of these products can interfere with insect reproduction or metamorphosis. Choosing organic pest control and purchasing organic foods whenever possible can help combat this issue.
Japanese knotweed and other invasive plants outcompete the native plants that pollinators rely on.
Invasive species
Insects and plants can both be invasive and these invasives can have a big impact on pollinator health. The invasive varroa mite, for instance, mostly harms non-native honeybees, but new studies are revealing that this pest is also impacting native bees. Invasive plants, on the other hand, often outcompete native plants and reshape ecosystems, making it harder for pollinators to find the plants they need for food and to host their young. Controlling invasives with tarping and cutting, rewilding with native plants, buying plants from reliable sources and not transporting plants, soil, or amendments from areas where invasives are active can slow their spread.
Climate change is making plants bloom out of sync with the migration patterns of pollinators like hummingbirds.
Climate change
Climate change is impacting many species, but it’s particularly harmful for migratory pollinators like monarchs and hummingbirds. As temperatures rise, plants are blooming earlier and out of sync with the pollinators that rely on their nectar and pollen to fuel their migration. Climate change is, I think, the trickiest issue for backyard gardeners to address, but we can help by taking the small steps that we can: planting more native plants, using energy wisely, and voting with our dollar by buying locally and supporting eco-minded businesses.
Who couldn’t love that fuzzy bumble bum?
More Ways to Help Pollinators Right Now
Using organic pest control and growing native plants are two of the best ways to help pollinators in your backyard. But if you want to do even more for pollinators, you can design a pollinator-friendly garden just for them (see my guides on gardens for bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, and fireflies!) Beyond pollinator gardening, here are a few more ways to help pollinators right now:
Shop locally
Support eco-minded businesses and creators
Choose organic produce whenever you can (or grow your own!)
If you have more suggestions for helping pollinators, please share them on our Facebook community group. Together I believe that we can bee the change and that small steps lead to big results. Bee well, my friends!
