When it comes to pollination, bees usually steal the spotlight. But the natural world is filled with unsung heroes that help flowers bloom and crops grow.
Beetles, for instance, were among the first pollinators, having evolved with early flowering plants. Pollen grains stick to their bodies as they move from flower to flower, eating their way through petals and other floral parts. While not the most efficient pollinators, beetles still play a critical role in pollinating ancient plant species like magnolias, palms, and nutmeg.
Hoverflies rank alongside bees as the most prolific urban pollinators. The adults pollinate a wide range of fruit and vegetable crops, while the larvae control aphid populations, making them doubly beneficial in gardens and farms.
Mammals contribute too. Bats are vital nocturnal pollinators in tropical and desert climates, pollinating over 500 plant species worldwide. They can carry more pollen in their fur and transport it over longer distances than insects. But that’s not all. In Madagascar, ruffed lemurs pick up pollen on their snouts while feeding on nectar from traveler’s palms. Meanwhile, in Australia, the tiny honey possum ? a marsupial measuring under 9 cm ? uses its long nose and mouth to reach into Banksia and eucalyptus flowers for a sweet meal of nectar and pollen. Even lizards get in on the action. On some Pacific islands, lizards like skinks and geckos enthusiastically lick nectar and brush against pollen-laden anthers, helping plants in isolated ecosystems reproduce.
And don’t overlook birds. Hummingbirds are perhaps the most well-known avian pollinators, especially in the Americas, where their fast-paced feeding habits pollinate many brightly colored, tubular flowers.
While bees remain indispensable, expanding our view of pollination helps emphasize the richness of biodiversity. These lesser-known pollinators play critical roles in ecosystems and agriculture ? often unnoticed but no less essential.
Yesel Kang Copy Editor teen/1746585075/1613367750
1. Which ancient plants are beetles known to pollinate?
2. How are hoverflies helpful besides pollination?
3. Why are bats considered better pollinators than some insects?
4. What kind of flowers do hummingbirds usually pollinate?
1. Why is it important to know about many types of pollinators?
2. How would losing some of these pollinators affect the environment?
3. What can people do to protect less-known pollinators?
4. If you could be any pollinator, which one would you choose and why?
When it comes to pollination, bees usually steal the spotlight. But the natural world is filled with unsung heroes that help flowers bloom and crops grow.
