Pollinators Have you ever heard of a pollinator? Well a pollinator is an animal that takes the nectar from a flower. Some examples of pollinators are bees, butterflies, wasps, birds, flies and beetles. The pollinators get food, mates, shelter and nest building materials from the flowers. Those are some things that can help the pollinators make houses and survive. In return, the flowers that are pollinated are able to develop and produce seeds. Did you know that pollinators get their energy from sugars in the nectar, and the proteins, fats, vitamins and the mineral from pollen grains? It is amazing where they get their energy from. The animal pollinators play a crucial role in the flowering plants’ reproduction. Most plants require the help of busy pollinators to produce seeds and fruits, and 80% of all flowering plants and over three- quarters of the crop plants that feed humans rely on these important pollinators. The unique bond between plants and pollinators is essential for survival -should one disappear, the other is doomed to become extinct. Pollinators help our plants a lot!
Bees
Bees are the best pollinators! More than 4,000 bee species can be found in the United States. Bees love flowers that have a lot of sweet nectar. Bees pollinate during the day when they can see things. Bees are color blind with the color red. They have fuzzy bodies that make the pollen stick to them when they land on a flower. You just learned a little about a new pollinator today. Keep reading and you will learn more!
Bats Do you know what a pollinator is? A pollinator is an animal that spreads pollen from flower to flower. Bats are a type of pollinator, and they are the one I am going to be talking about. Bats live in caves. Bats cannot see the color red. Bats come out at night. Bats love white flowers, and they also eat the bugs off the flowers. Bats love very fragrant flowers, and eat lots of sweet nectar. Bats are amazing animals!
Butterflies
Did you know that butterflies are pollinators? Butterflies are active all day and visit a variety of wildflowers. Butterflies need nectar to drink. Butterflies have very good vision and a weak sense of smell. Butterflies are not good at moving like bees do. Butterflies like red, orange or yellow flowers that are open during the day. Butterflies can fly and can be any color. When butterflies hatch their wings are wet. After a couple of hours they begin to fly from flower to flower. Butterflies help native plants live and grow!