Insect pollinators: Difference between revisions

Insect pollinators refers to the insects that have a primary role of pollinating the more than two-thirds of the world's plant species that require pollination for fertilisation.

List of insect pollinators

The following list details the key insect pollinators:

• Bees
• Wasps
• Flies
• Butterflies
• Some beetles.

In addition to insects, there are certain birds, bats, small mammals and even people on occasion, who have a role in assisting pollination.

Bees

Bees are responsible for the majority of pollinating in gardens, of crops and in all relevant natural settings.

Different flowers, crops and natural areas attract different kinds of bees.

• Australian native bees (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_native_bees)
• Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)
• European honey bees (Apis mellifera)
• Leafcutter bees (Megachile spp.)
• Long-horned bees
• Squash bees
• Sweat bees

Wasps

Adult wasps obtain nectar from shallow flowers with nectar that is easily obtained.

• European paper wasp (aggressive, social)
• German yellowjacket (aggressive, social)
• The solitary, gentle varieties

Flies

As with wasps, flies tend to like the shallow flowers with easily accessible nectar.

• Bluebottle flies
• Hover flies
• Tachinid flies (pest controllers as well)

Butterflies

Butterflies like the large and showy flowers and require nectar, not pollen.

Beetles

Zone for filling in needed info!