The western honey bee is the most dependable agricultural pollinator of many crops. This behavior, called flower fidelity or flower constancy, makes bees especially reliable couriers to move pollen to receptive flowers. Bees visit one or only a few flowering species during each foraging trip, even when other flowers are available. Bees' fuzzy bodies and branched hairs help female bees collect pollen into special structures, such as pollen baskets on the hind legs or long hairs on the thorax or abdomen.īees also forage for food close to their nesting sites, a practice called central place foraging. Bees rely on flowers for food to feed their young, so they actively seek out and visit flowers. Bees: Essential Pollinatorsīees are considered the most important pollinators because they are uniquely adapted to gather and transport pollen. Key animal pollinators include honey bees, native bees, flies, moths and other insects, as well as birds and some mammals. These seeds and the fruit that often accompany them also provide important food sources for approximately 25 percent of birds and many mammal species. Without the work of pollinators, many native plants couldn't produce seeds to ensure the plant's next generation. Approximately 75 percent of all plant species depend on animal pollinators to move pollen from plant to plant. In addition to their role on farms and gardens, pollinators are essential to the survival of native plants. Pollinators play a key role in the production of many foods in the home garden. farm income by pollinating 58 crops, including almonds, apples, berries and squash. A 2012 study at Cornell University estimates that bees and other insect pollinators contribute $29 billion annually to U.S. Some scientists estimate that one in three bites of food we take can be traced back to the role of animal pollinators. Lines and coloration on petals help pollinators quickly find rewards.Īnimal pollinators are essential to the food we eat. Swallowtail butterfly drinks nectar from bottlebrush buckeye flowers. Bees in particular use floral qualities such as polarized light patterns, petal texture, temperature, humidity, and electrostatic charge to help them locate flowers. How Pollinators Find Flowersįlowers use a variety of strategies to attract pollinators, including petal color, scent, UV light patterns and nectar guides.

Flowers depend on repeat visits by pollinators, so many offer small rewards repeated at regular intervals to encourage return trips. Flowers also provide shelter and gathering places for pollinating insects. Plants attract pollinators by offering rewards, such as pollen, nectar and floral oils. Many plants are wind pollinated (e.g., grasses, small grain crops, and conifers), but others rely on animals, primarily insects, to carry pollen from flower to flower. Without pollination, most plants can't make seeds and fruits. Pollination is the movement of pollen from the male part (anther) of one flower to the female part (pistil) of another flower. What Is Pollination?īumble bee visits aster flower for pollen and nectar. This fact sheet describes the importance of pollinators, their role in the ecosystem, and actions gardeners can take to help pollinator populations in their yards and gardens. Fortunately, gardeners can take steps to support these and other pollinators through plant selection and simple gardening practices. Pollinators are vital to the production of many food crops and provide a service essential to the survival of many native plants. Important pollinators such as honey bees, bumble bees and monarch butterflies have gained attention in recent years due to concerns about declining populations. Gardeners are increasingly concerned about the status of pollinators in Ohio.

Perennial bee garden