As we enter the summer season, pollination of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and trees is still occurring. We often think of spring being the season of planting and pollinating, but summer plays an important role too. June is National Pollinator Month and in 2023 we celebrate National Pollinator Week from June 19th-25th. This is an annual event held on the third week of June that highlights the wildlife responsible for helping our food grow and promotes the importance of pollinator health and ways humans can help.
Who are our pollinators?
Lots of animals and insects pollinate, not just bees and butterflies. Some examples:
Birds!
Did you know that over 900 species of birds pollinate? Especially hummingbirds, who are essential pollinators of wildflowers in the United States (US Forest Service, 2023). Cassowaries, who are native to Australian rainforests and are frugivores (fruit-eaters) are considered a keystone species as they disperse seeds of up to 238 rainforest species. It is estimated that nearly 100 plants depend entirely on the cassowary to disperse their seeds. Without the cassowary, these rainforests would disappear (Rainforest Trust, 2017).
Small mammals!
Bats are an important pollinator in tropical and desert climates. Over 300 species of fruit, such as bananas, mangoes, and guava depend on bat pollination as well as the agave plant (Tequila) and saguaro cactus. Lemurs, possums, and squirrels are also considered pollinators too by either carrying pollen along their fur or by burying seeds and nuts (Fabrizia R., 2018).
Insects!
We know about bees and butterflies, but moths, wasps, beetles, and flies also contribute to our ecosystem. Did you know that all figs are pollinated by tiny wasps? We wouldn’t have figs without them. And the yucca plant depends entirely on the yucca moth for pollination. Beetles are known to assist in pollinating popular flower and herb plants like yarrow, wintersweet, goldenrod, sunflowers, and spirea. Many plants and insects have symbiotic relationships and are dependent on each other for survival.
Pollinators are essential to our survival. Most of the plants in our world need help with pollination and the type of plants that these creatures pollinate “bring us countless fruits, vegetables, and nuts (more than 1200 type of crops); ½ of the world’s oils, fibers and raw materials; prevent soil erosion; and increase carbon sequestration” (Pollinator Partnerships, 2023).
Ways you can celebrate pollinator week:
- Plant pollinator friendly native plants. This includes grass and trees too, not just flowers. Make sure you look at what’s native to your area and will best support your local ecosystem. Also plant a variety of plants that bloom throughout the year, so you can have pollinator plants growing year-round. You can follow the Wayne County Soil and Water Conservation department for their annual fall and spring native plant sales.
- Learn about pollinators by taking a class or webinar at your local nature or extension center. Hayes Arboretum regularly hosts the Eastern Indiana Beekeepers. Their next meeting is June 20th at 6:30 pm at Hayes. It is free and open to anyone interested in learning more about bees or starting beekeeping.
- Build or buy native bee houses and bat houses for your property. Make sure you research the best place to hang these homes.
- Spread the word about Pollinator week by hosting your own pollinator themed meal or mixer. As mentioned, we enjoy a wide variety of food and beverages thanks to our pollinator friends.
- Attend a nature walk. Cope Environmental Center has regularly guided nature walks throughout the year, and they also host programming aimed at pollinator health and awareness. Hayes Arboretum also regularly hosts these types of programs, including meet ups with the American Discovery Trail Hiking Club. Upcoming hikes are June 20th at 4 pm and July 1st at 9 am at Hayes Nature Center. It is free and open to all.
- More celebration ideas can be found in the Pollinator Week Toolkit.
Research Help
The IU East Campus Library has multiple databases where you can explore a myriad of related topics on pollinators, ecological health, food science, and more. Check out Food and Drink in History, Food Studies Online, GreenFILE, Agriculture & Environmental Science, and the Biological Science database. If you need any assistance with researching these or related topics, Ask Us! iueref@iue.edu or click here:
Sources:
Fabrizia Ratto et al. (2018). Global importance of vertebrate pollinators for plant reproductive success: a meta-analysis. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment doi: 10.1002/fee.1763
National Wildlife Federation. (2022). National Pollinator Month. https://www.nwf.org/Garden-for-Wildlife/About/National-Initiatives/Pollinator-Month
Pollinator Partnership. (2023). Why are pollinators important. https://www.pollinator.org/pollinators
Rainforest Trust. (2017, September). Seven things you (probably) didn’t know about the cassowary. https://www.rainforesttrust.org/our-impact/rainforest-news/seven-things-you-probably-dont-know-about-the-cassowary/#:~:text=The%20birds%20are%20considered%20’keystone,cassowaries%20to%20disperse%20their%20seeds.
US Forest Service. (2023). Bird pollination. https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/pollinators/animals/birds.shtml#:~:text=Birds%20are%20very%20important%20pollinators,(Australia)%20are%20important%20pollinators.
US Forest Service. (2023). Bat pollination. https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/wildflowers/pollinators/who-are-the-pollinators/bats