{"id":1037,"date":"2014-03-24T20:19:21","date_gmt":"2014-03-24T20:19:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/backyardsfornature.org\/?p=1037"},"modified":"2014-04-08T01:29:23","modified_gmt":"2014-04-08T01:29:23","slug":"pollinators-need-our-help","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/backyardsfornature.org\/?p=1037","title":{"rendered":"Pollinators Need Our Help!"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Barb Elliot<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The earliest spring flowers will soon emerge. \u00a0In my garden I\u2019ll admire the delicate white petals of Bloodroot, the first to bloom. Soon I\u2019ll enjoy the blue bell-like flowers of Jacob\u2019s Ladder, the bright yellow of Golden Ragwort, and striking red blooms of Wild Columbine.\u00a0\u00a0 The flowers are charming, but I will be more captivated by their insect visitors.\u00a0 Small bees and flies will fly from blossom to blossom. Working intently, they will stop briefly to feed and gather nectar and pollen.\u00a0 These will be the first pollinators of the year.<\/p>\n

\"Skipper<\/a>

Skipper sipping nectar from Upland Ironweed. @ Barb Elliot<\/p><\/div>\n

As spring and summer progress, pollinators will visit the succession of blooms on my native trees, shrubs, and perennials.\u00a0 Bees, butterflies, flies, beetles, and wasps will be at work.\u00a0 I\u2019ll watch each butterfly unfurl its straw-like proboscis to daintily probe flower heads and sip nectar.\u00a0 Yellow pollen grains will dot the heads and bodies of bees and flies.\u00a0 Female bees will sport saddlebag-like pollen baskets on their hind legs.\u00a0 The undersides of leafcutter bees\u2019 abdomens will be golden from pollen grains stored on special hairs.<\/p>\n

\"Bumble<\/a>

Bumble Bee with pollen baskets. Photo by Beatriz Moisset. Wikimedia Creative Commons.<\/p><\/div>\n

I\u2019ll notice the size, shape, and tongue lengths of pollinators – characteristics that enable some to better exploit different shaped flowers than others.\u00a0 Iridescent green sweat bees will glisten in the sunlight as they feed on nectar. \u00a0The strikingly-marked Locust Borer Beetle will catch my attention as it methodically forages for pollen on my goldenrods. \u00a0I\u2019ll marvel at how close I can get to colorful wasps as they busily collect nectar.\u00a0 Hover flies will hang suspended in air as they take a break from feeding on nectar and pollen.\u00a0 After dark, with my flashlight, I\u2019ll find moths<\/a> flying from flower to flower, performing nighttime pollination.<\/p>\n

\"Locust<\/a>

Locust Borer Beetle on goldenrod. Wikimedia Creative Commons photo.<\/p><\/div>\n

My flowering plants put on their royal finery to entice these pollinators, not me.\u00a0 Their showy colors and patterns advertise and guide the pollinators to the plants\u2019 nectar and pollen.\u00a0 The plants must rely on the pollinators to transport pollen among different flowers of the same species.\u00a0 This cross-pollination enables plants to produce the seeds and fruit needed \u00a0for reproduction.\u00a0 Well-pollinated plants bear more fruit, produce genetically diverse seed, and are healthier. For the pollinators the nectar provides carbohydrates for energy. The pollen supplies them and their offspring with protein, vitamins, minerals, fats, and starches.<\/p>\n

Pollinators play essential roles in our ecosystems.\u00a0 Seventy-five percent of the world\u2019s plants require pollinators to produce seed or fruit.\u00a0 One-third of our food supply comes from pollinator-reliant plants. Birds and other wildlife in my yard and the world over eat<\/p>\n

\"Green<\/a>

Green Sweat Bee. Photo by Beatriz Moisset on Wikimedia Creative Comoons.<\/p><\/div>\n

the seeds and fruits produced by pollinator-dependent plants.\u00a0 Pollinators themselves are food for birds and other animals, including insects.\u00a0 A diverse population of pollinators is critical to the web of life.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, many pollinators are in decline.\u00a0 Some are threatened with extinction.\u00a0 Our most beloved pollinator, the Monarch butterfly, is in serious trouble.\u00a0 The eastern U.S. population crashed in 2013, and the smallest number on record over-wintered in Mexico this year.\u00a0 Not only Monarchs but other pollinator populations, including bees, our most prolific pollinators, are in trouble, too. The effects of Colony Collapse Disorder on non-native honeybee populations are well known. However, many of\u00a0our 4,000 U.S. native bee species, key pollinators of both<\/p>\n

\"Bumble<\/a>

Bumble bee with tongue extended on Mountain Mint. Photo @ Barb Elliot.<\/p><\/div>\n

native plants and crops, are also at risk.\u00a0 Bumble bees seem particularly hard hit, with about half of our 47 U.S. species in decline.\u00a0 Some are in danger of extinction. Less studied pollinators like beetles, wasps, and moths are likely declining as well.<\/p>\n

Loss of good foraging and nesting habitat is the primary cause for pollinator declines.\u00a0 Pesticides and introduced parasites add to the toll.\u00a0 Many experts believe neonicotinoid insecticides pose a particular threat to bees and other pollinators.\u00a0 Those that forage on treated plants become weak or die.\u00a0 \u201cNeonics\u201d and other systemic pesticides are taken up through a plant\u2019s roots and travel to all parts of the plant, including its nectar and pollen.\u00a0 Last June, 50,000 bumble bees foraging on flowering trees at a single location in Oregon were killed after the trees were sprayed with a neonicotenoid. \u00a0Neonics are present in a variety of insecticide brands commonly sold to gardeners. They are also used in nurseries that raise plants.\u00a0 In fact, some plants sold as bee-attractants contain neonicotenoids.<\/p>\n

\"Wasp<\/a>

Wasp on Mountain Mint. @ Barb Elliot<\/p><\/div>\n

Despite all the threats, we gardeners can help sustain pollinator populations in our area.\u00a0 (See table below.)\u00a0 Some gardeners like to attract butterflies, but balk at inviting moths, bees, beetles, flies, and wasps.\u00a0 However, these insects have important roles to play in the web of life and are generally harmless to gardeners.\u00a0 Native bees are unaggressive and rarely sting. Even wasps are docile when foraging on flowers, although they may forcefully defend a nest. \u00a0By incorporating a variety of native plants in our yards, our most important conservation action, we will attract pollinators that are also predators and keep insect populations in check.\u00a0 Various beetles, flies, and wasps prey on aphids and other insect pests.\u00a0 By growing a diversity of native plants (see plant list below), we will encourage a healthy balance of insects in our gardens.<\/p>\n

\"Hover<\/a>

Hover Fly on Snakeroot. @ Barb Elliot<\/p><\/div>\n

I hope the plight of the Monarch butterfly will compel us to action. We must help not just the Monarchs* but the less charismatic butterfly, bee, fly, wasp, beetle, and moth pollinators as well.\u00a0 For too long, we have ignored pollinators or treated them as pests to be destroyed.\u00a0 We have gardened for aesthetics and our enjoyment without considering nature.\u00a0 These beneficial creatures are crucial players in the web of life in our own gardens and beyond. We can make a difference for them.\u00a0 We and our gardens will benefit.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/i>*Please note that we will be selling milkweed plants for Monarchs again this year!\u00a0 Stay tuned for an upcoming post about Monarchs and details of the milkweed sale.<\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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How to Help Pollinators<\/b><\/span><\/h6>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Provide Food\u00a0 <\/strong><\/span><\/h6>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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    \n
  • \n
    Plant:<\/h6>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
\u00a8\u00a0 A variety of nectar- and pollen-rich native plants. Strive for 8 or more species.<\/h6>\n
\u00a8\u00a0 \u00a0Perennials in clusters, preferably 5 or more of a single species, so plants are easily found.<\/h6>\n
\u00a8\u00a0 \u00a0For a succession of blooms from early spring through late fall.<\/h6>\n
\u00a8\u00a0 \u00a0Natives with different flower shapes for pollinators or varied sizes, shapes, and tongue lengths.<\/h6>\n
\u00a8\u00a0 \u00a0Host plants for butterflies and moths.<\/h6>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
    \n
  • \n
    Buy plants at local native plant retailers or where sellers identify whether plants are pre-treated with systemic pesticides such as neonicotinoids.<\/h6>\n<\/li>\n
  • \n
    Remove invasive plants so they crowd out natives<\/h6>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Provide nesting and overwintering sites<\/strong><\/span><\/h6>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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    \n
  • \n
    Leave:<\/h6>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
\u00a8\u00a0 Areas of bare soil in sunny, well-drained spots.<\/h6>\n
\u00a8\u00a0 \u00a0Stumps, logs on the ground, dead branches and trees.<\/h6>\n
\u00a8\u00a0 \u00a0Leaf litter for over-wintering butterflies, moths, beetles and their larvae or pupae<\/h6>\n
\u00a8\u00a0 \u00a0Stems of perennials standing from fall through late winter<\/h6>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Provide water<\/strong><\/span><\/h6>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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    \n
  • \n
    Add a shallow dish with sloped sides for easy entry and exit<\/h6>\n<\/li>\n
  • \n
    Keep an area of soil moist or muddy for butterflies and other pollinators that forage for minerals and salts in soil<\/h6>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Prevent pesticide poisoning<\/strong><\/span><\/h6>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Other Ways to Help Pollinators<\/strong><\/span><\/h6>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n