Pollinators
Greenbelt | Essex County's Land Trust
" Very ragged hawk moth " by Mario Quevedo licensed under CC BY 2.0
What are pollinators?
Pollination is when the pollen from the male part of the flower (stamen; the anther is what contains the pollen) is moved to the female part of the flower (pistil; the stigma is the part of the pistil that receives the pollen). Pollinators are the animals that help pollination happen, and include bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, flies and even bats and moths. Pollinators are crucial to many plants’ survival because pollination is what enables the plants to produce new seeds and continue on for another generation. Plants are also important for the survival of pollinators because they provide starch-rich nectar and protein-rich pollen for the pollinators to eat.
Without pollinators our food system would look very different! Pollinators make it possible for us to have most fruits, nuts, and grains. More than 150 crops in the US rely on pollinators, and estimates have over 80% of world’s flowering plants relying on pollinators to reproduce.
Scroll down to see a video of a Greenbelt staff member answering questions about pollinators that were submitted by members of the community!
Bees
Bees are the most efficient pollinators. Unlike humans, bees can see ultraviolet light, and they use this to their advantage with a “nectar guide.” Near the center of a flower’s petals is an ultraviolet light reflection, which bees use to efficiently guide them to the flower’s nectar.
On the right, " Bumble bees on Joe Pye Weed " by Mara Koenig for USFWS Midwest Region licensed under CC BY 2.0
Bees cannot see red, and most often visit blue or yellow flowers, or some mix of both. Bees consume both nectar and pollen to fuel their daily activities; they gather large amounts of pollen from flowers, which provides them with food and helps pollinate other plants they visit.
Butterflies
Butterflies are not as efficient as bees when it comes to pollination. Butterflies do not have specialized body parts to help them collect pollen and they have long legs, so their bodies do not collect as much pollen as bees.
On the right, " Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) on a Butterfly Bush " by Jim, the Photographer licensed under CC BY 2.0
Butterflies usually visit flowers that are flat or clustered, which provides them a good landing place because they cannot fly while they eat. Butterflies look for brightly colored red, orange, and yellow flowers and flowers that produce abundant nectar.
On the right, " Butterfly " by Conal Gallagher licensed under CC BY 2.0
Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds are a lesser known pollinator. Their long, slender beaks and tube-shaped tongues enable them to drink nectar from flowers. In an impressive feat, hummingbirds drink about twice their body weight in nectar per day!
On the right, " Hummingbird " by Mike Lewinski licensed under CC BY 2.0
Hummingbirds prefer to drink from red, orange, or yellow flowers that are tubular as it caters to their beak shape. They can insert their beak deep into the flower to get to the nectar; in this process their heads are dusted with pollen, which is then transferred to other plants.
On the right, " Rufous hummingbird at Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge " by Tom Koerner for USFWS Mountain-Prairie licensed under CC BY 2.0
Bats and Moths
The least known of the pollinators are bats and moths. Both animals are most active at night, pollinating plants nocturnally. Moths typically become active in the late afternoon or evening.
On the right, " Moth Pollinator - JTK " by Founders and Friends of Two Ponds NWR/Janet Torma-krajewski for USFWS Mountain-Prairie licensed under CC BY 2.0
Over 500 plants depend on pollination from bats, including plants producing mangoes, agave, and bananas. Similar to butterflies, moths tend to visit flowers that grow in clusters, so they have a good place to land. The yucca plant depends on moths for reproduction.
On the right, " Agave desmettiana and bats " by Marlon Machado licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0
Pollinators in Decline
Pollinator populations have been in decline due to numerous threats. Increased development in some areas takes away vegetation that pollinators would use for nesting and feeding. In addition to development, climate change, pollution, invasive species, and pesticide/insecticide use threaten pollinators. Pollinators are a crucial part of our food system and the perpetuation of native species, so their decline is troubling. Luckily, there are a couple ways to support pollinators and help their populations thrive again.
Supporting Pollinators
Land conservation is one great way to help pollinators. Maintaining open space and protecting it from development ensures pollinators have a place to nest and feed. Supporting land trusts and conservation efforts through legislation directly supports pollinators.
Create a pollinator garden at home. If you have a bit of open space in your yard, you can plant flowers and plants that pollinators nest in or feed on. This is a fun way to support pollinators because you will get to see them at work and watch them and your flowers thrive. You can read more about creating your own pollinator garden here .
Pollinators in Action at Greenbelt
Pollinators are active on several Greenbelt properties. Come visit a few for a chance to see bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds in action and to enjoy wildflowers in bloom.
Castle Neck River Reservation, Ipswich
Castle Neck River Reservation has plenty of trails through hayfield, woodlands, and salt marsh. Native plants along the trails welcome pollinators and closer to the river you can spot red-breasted merganser and snapping turtles.
Seine Field, Gloucester
The Seine Field is a rare New England habitat type known as an “Open Heathland” or "Relic Sandplain Grassland," characterized by arid, sandy soil and a landscape of low vegetative growth. Native grasses and wildflowers grow abundant at Seine Field, so you will be likely to see some pollinators at work.
John J. Donovan Reservation & Sagamore Hill Conservation Area, Hamilton
John J. Donovan Reservation and Sagamore Hill Conservation Area is an expansive natural wonderland with trail systems through woodlands and open meadows. There is ample space to explore and many opportunities to see pollinators at this conservation area.
Allyn Cox Reservation, Essex
Greenbelt has two beehives the Allyn Cox Reservation , which are used for educational purposes and to harvest honey. You can watch a video of the installation of the beehives here . While at the Cox Reservation you can also take in fantastic salt march views and fragrant spring blooms.
To learn more about pollination:
Pollination Q&A at Greenbelt:
A staff member answers questions from the community about pollinators.
#AskGreenbelt: Pollinators
