So when people talk about pollinators, what do you think
of? Well, most people go to
Honeybees. Did you know that the common
Honeybee is actually from Europe? They
are great for pollinating our Rosaceae
(Rose Family) fruit crops, which includes peaches, cherries, apples,
strawberries and raspberry among many more.
Honeybees will feed strictly on my flowering plant at a time, such as
peaches, before they move onto other plants.
Honeybee, Lisa Mason CSUE Agent |
Our native pollinators including native solitary bees, syrphid
flies (hover flies), bumblebees, beetles, butterflies, moths and animals like
bats. Most of these native pollinators
need a variety of resources to get enough nutrients. They are grazers or buffet eaters rather than
eating just one item at a time. I am
sure you know people that fit into both those categories.
Common blue butterfly-TRA |
Of course, there are native pollinators that
have specific relationships with one plant such as the yucca moth, Tegeticula yuccasella, which lives its
entire life in some way on or within the Yucca and the Gaillardia moth, Schinia
masoni. So always
exceptions to the rule.
Yucca moth- Malisa Science Source photo |
In Colorado, we have 946 native bees, 250 species of
butterflies, 1000 species of Moths, many wasps, beetles and flies. This information can be found at https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/agplants/native-pollinators
Of the syrphid flies, aka hover flies aka flower flies
there are 900 species in North America.
Many of these look like bees so birds and other creatures do not try to
eat them. I personally find them quite
cute. And they are also beneficial insects!
syrphid fly-bugguide.net |
So what can you do in your garden and your community? You can plant a variety of plants, native
plants, and do your homework on what each specific pollinator needs. For example, solitary bees need bare soil to
build their nests. It may appear that
there is a colony, but there it is actually more of an apartment or town-home
situation where one bee lives in their own condominium.
Solitary bee- MaLisa Spring Photo |
Or take note of what pollinators you are attracting. Some of our agents do citizen science projects,
which help us to track what people are seeing. Some pollinators will need a source of water other than
just pollen and nectar. So shallow water
sources can be a benefit in the garden.
Planting a variety of types of plants will assist as well. Some of the native bees like to nest at the
base of native grasses such as Little Bluestem https://xerces.org/blog/plants-for-pollinators-little-bluestem
Standing Ovation little bluestem- Colostate |
Do not only plant a variety of plants that bloom at once,
but that grow and bloom throughout the year.
For example, we had a yarrow in our demonstration garden blooming last November
and I observed syrphid flies hovering over and feeding on the yarrow. Use natives from your area. Some cultivars are so far from their origin
that they are not good sources of pollen and nectar. Typically, plants with double or triple the
number of petals, tetraploids, are NOT good for a pollinator garden.
Pollinator on Columbine |
Take care of weeds!
Weeds compete with natives and garden plants and typically are not a
good source of pollen and nectar for the pollinators. Weeds also affect the environment and
agriculture but out competing, stealing resources, attracting insects like
aphids and overall just look messy.
Support conservation efforts of plants in your area. If you need education on native plants, which
ones are good pollinators, historic uses, plant id and landscape sustainability,
check out the CSU Extension Native Plant Master’s Program. We have 13 counties that offer this series of
classes. http://conativeplantmaster.colostate.edu/
By Susan Carter, Horticulture and Natural Resource Agent in the Tri River Area
Enjoyed this information—thank you.
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