When you think of the word pollinator, what comes to mind? Typically, your answer would be bees and you are correct! Colorado has 946 species of native bees, which is more than the whole eastern U.S. combined where only 803 species are known. Our state has such a high population of bee species because we have diverse habitats and regional climates within the state that are associated with changes in elevation, longitude and latitude. Colorado is very fortunate to have so many different bee species, however, we also have more than just bees that act as pollinators.
Colorado’s Native Pollinators Include:
Butterflies
Colorado has 250 species of butterflies. Butterflies move pollen from flower to flower just like bees, however, they are less efficient at this task because their bodies are perched higher up on their long thin legs. Because of this, they do not pick up much pollen on their bodies and lack specialized structures for collecting it. Butterflies typically visit flowers that are:
- In clusters and provide landing platforms
- Brightly colored (red, yellow, orange)
- Open during the day
- Ample nectar producers, with nectar deeply hidden
Moths
If you thought that our number of native bees was impressive you will enjoy this: there are over 1000 species of moths in Colorado! Moths are great for pollination and not just dive bombing innocent bystanders faces (the majority of peoples’ experiences with moths). Moths work the graveyard shift in the pollination world. They are attracted to nocturnal flowers with pale/white flowers and a heavy fragrance. Moths love flowers that are typically:
- In clusters and provide landing platforms
- White or dull colors
- Open late afternoon or night
- Ample nectar producers, with nectar deeply hidden, such as morning glory, tobacco, yucca and gardenia
Beetles
Beetles aren’t the most graceful pollinators, but they are pollinators nonetheless. Beetles are called “mess and soil” pollinators which means that they will eat their way through petals and other floral parts and then defecate within the flowers. It’s a pretty gross way of pollinating, but we are thankful that they can be so helpful! Fun fact: research has shown that beetles are capable of color-vision! Beetles prefer flowers that are:
- Bowl-shaped with sexual organ exposed
- White, to dull white or green
- Strongly fruity
- Open during the day
- Moderate nectar producers
- May be large solitary flowers (magnolias, pond lilies)
- May be clusters or small flowers (goldenrods, spirea)
Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds are very important pollinators of wildflowers in the continental United States. Humming birds have great vision and are extremely attracted to red. Hummingbirds are effective pollinators because their faces become dusted in pollen when they are extracting nectar with their long slender bills as they move from flower to flower. They must eat several times their weight (between 2-8 grams) in nectar everyday to survive. Flowers that are visited by hummingbirds are:
- Tubular and have petals that are recurved to be out of the way
- Strong supports for perching
- Brightly colored: red, yellow, orange
- Odorless (birds have a poor sense of smell)
- Open during the day
- Prolific nectar producers with nectar deeply hidden
Wasps
Wasps are pollinators?! Surprising but true! Most people think that wasps are just jerk versions of bees that fly around stinging people but they are very important pollinators. Wasps look like bees but don’t typically have fuzzy hairs all over their bodies. Because they are not hairy, they are much less efficient pollinators. Without those hairs the pollen has nothing to stick to on their bodies. Like bees, wasps have high-energy needs that must be met for their survival. Wasps need pollen and nectar from a variety of flowers to go on about their bees-ness (see what I did there?). In the tropics the minute fig wasps are responsible for pollinating almost 1000 species of figs. Figs are keystone species in many tropical ecosystems.
Other Interesting, Non-Native Pollinators
Some of the most important pollinators include ants, bats, bees, beetles, birds, butterflies, flies, moths and wasps. There are also some unexpected pollinators (not native to Colorado) such as:
- Black and white ruffed lemurs in Madagascar
- Honey possums in Australia
- Lizards, geckos and skinks
- Slugs, gnats, true bugs and milkweed bugs
Animal pollinators play a crucial role in flowering plant reproduction and in the production of most fruits and vegetables. About 80% of all flowering plants and over ¾ of the staple crop plants that feed humankind rely on animal pollinators. Pollinators are responsible for 1 out of every 3 bites of food you eat! Pollination is also responsible for environmental benefits such as clean air, purifying water and preventing soil erosion.
If you would like to learn more about how you can help pollinators thrive, check out How to Plant for Pollinators in Colorado. Ready to design a pollinator friendly garden? Contact us!
