WRITTEN BY BRITTNEY NICKERSON
As the planting season begins, so does the pollination season. Ninety percent of the world’s plants are pollinated by insects and 99% of flowering plants require pollination. Plants need pollination to produce more seeds, develop better fruits, and maintain genetic diversity within the population. Most plants are pollinated by more than one type of insect.
Perhaps the most recognized pollinator is the honey bee, but native bees are even more effective at pollinating, despite being less populous. However, there are still over 270 native bee species in Maine. According to Zac Smith-Hess, an entomologist and educator at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, the second-best pollinators are flies belonging to the Diptera family. Many flies look like bees but can be differentiated by their two wings and large eyes that are often touching. Wasps, ants, moths, butterflies, and beetles are also useful pollinators for certain plants.
Attracting Pollinators
There are a few things gardeners can do to create a garden that attracts and sustains pollinators. Plants that are native to the area are usually better at attracting pollinators, but the most important thing is to have a diversity of plants. Planting flowers close together and having an array of plants that bloom from early spring to late fall will also help.
To know if a garden is being pollinated, Carol Smith from the Garden Club Federation of Maine said, “Bees will be flying around and landing on your flowers. You can also check to see if they have been there by looking for tiny powdery specks on the flower’s stigma or petals, as this is a sign of pollen transfer.”
Protecting & Encouraging
To protect pollinator populations, gardeners should avoid using herbicides, fungicides, or insecticides on their lawn or garden, including using weed-and-feed products. If pesticides are used, they should be used before the first flowers bloom or after the last of the season has passed. Instead of using these products, gardeners might consider supporting local predator populations to combat harmful pest insects. Predator insects such as wasps, spiders, and flies eat many pest insects; for example, ladybugs eat aphids, while assassin bugs and wheel bugs eat soft-bodied pests.
Like all living creatures, pollinators and predators require water and shelter along with food. Shrubby plants and unmowed sections of lawn near gardens can serve as microhabitats. Birdbaths, natural water sources, and even a leaky spigot are useful for all insects, especially dragonflies, which are a natural predator to mosquitos.
The shape of the flower also impacts pollination. Bees, wasps, butterflies, and moths favor flowers that grow in clusters, like hydrangeas, as well as blooms with large petals that provide a landing pad while they feed. Butterflies and moths also enjoy tube-shaped flowers, such as coneflowers. Beetles and ants are less picky than other pollinators but might be more successful in pollinating bowl-shaped flowers, as they pollinate by walking across flowers and dragging the pollen from one flower to the next. Flies are less likely to be affected by flower shape.
As the planting season gets underway, protecting pollinators is essential for healthy crops, gardens, and ecosystems. From bees to flies, these small workers play an outsized role in keeping Maine’s landscapes blooming.
