Tag Archives: pollinators

Hummingbird Clearwing Moth on beebalm © Lynne Harding

Take 5: Pollinator Power

It’s National Pollinator Week! This is a time to celebrate pollinators and raise awareness about how to protect them. So what are pollinators?

Pollinators are creatures that help plants reproduce by spreading a powdery material called pollen among flowers of the same species when the sticky pollen attaches to their bodies—many pollinators have evolved to be extra “hairy” so even more pollen will stick to them. Animals like bees, butterflies, moths, birds, and bats pollinate a majority of fruits and vegetables (i.e. non-grain crops) used in agriculture. But pollinators don’t just help plants; they rely on plants to survive and reproduce, sourcing critical nutrients from energy-rich nectar and protein-rich pollen.

Meet the Pollinators

There are many different types of pollinators in Massachusetts—bees are best-known for their pollinating prowess, but other insects such as wasps, butterflies, moths, and some flies and beetles, as well as birds like hummingbirds, are important pollinators, too. Nectar-feeding bats also pollinate plants, but are not typically found in Massachusetts—our native bats are mostly insectivores.

Read more about pollinators and what you can do to help them on our website and enjoy these five photos of pollinators that you might spot hovering around the flowers in your neighborhood this summer.

Green Sweat Bee on Viburnum sp.
Green Sweat Bee on Viburnum sp.
Hummingbird Clearwing Moth on beebalm © Lynne Harding
Hummingbird Clearwing Moth on beebalm © Lynne Harding
Digger Wasp on spotted beebalm © Christine Ceranowicz
Digger Wasp on spotted beebalm © Christine Ceranowicz
Ruby-throated Hummingbird feeding on trumpet honeysuckle © Sue Feldberg
Ruby-throated Hummingbird feeding on trumpet honeysuckle © Sue Feldberg
Great Spangled Fritillary © Robin Fenton
Great Spangled Fritillary on Ageratum sp. © Robin Fenton
Common Milkweed © Laura Ferraguto

Take 5: Native Plants that Pollinators Love

It’s not an exaggeration to say that the biodiversity of our entire ecosystem depends on pollinators. Animals like birds, bees, bats, butterflies, moths, and other insects feed on plants, and in doing so, help 80% of the world’s plant species reproduce.

Over the last few decades, pollinator populations have declined dramatically due to climate change, pesticide exposure, and loss of habitat and food sources. Fortunately, we can help. One major way to make a positive impact on pollinators—and beautify an outdoor space—is to plant a native pollinator garden.

Even small outdoor spaces can provide quality habitat and help us fight biodiversity loss. A pollinator garden can range from a decorative planter with native flowers to small flowerbeds or larger vegetable gardens interspersed with flowers. 

There are several ways you can learn more and start making a difference in your backyard or neighborhood:

Enjoy these five photos of pollinator-friendly native plants and let us know in the comments how you plan to support pollinators this year!

Joe Pye Weed by Martha Gach
Joe Pye Weed by Martha Gach
Buttonbush © Cristina Hartshorn
Buttonbush © Cristina Hartshorn
Cardinal Flower © Ed Anzures
Cardinal Flower © Ed Anzures
Common Milkweed © Laura Ferraguto
Common Milkweed © Laura Ferraguto
Cranberry Bush Viburnum © Laura Bryan
Cranberry Bush Viburnum © Laura Bryan

EDIT: An earlier version of this post included a photo of Echinacea purpurea (coneflower). While great for pollinators and native to the Midwest United States, it is not native to New England.