Apidae: Long-Horned Bees (Melissodes and Eucera) categories: Apidae Bees Pollinators revision date: 2023-03-24 12:00 Long-horned bee (Melissodes)Photo by: J. Abel Biology Long-horned bees are common with more than 120 species in North America. Males have much longer antennae than females. Robust and hairy, they are moderate-sized bees (0.3-0.8 inches long) with conspicuously hairy rear legs. […]
Bees: Final Thoughts on Bees as Pollinators categories: Bees Final Thoughts on Bees Pollinators revision date: 2023-03-07 12:00 Biology Bees are the prime pollinators, designed to pollinate. Consequently, they are of prime importance to effective pollination on the landscape. Most of the bees seen in your garden will be solitary native bees, but they are […]
Pollinators: Introduction categories: About Pollinators Pollinators revision date: 2022-12-14 12:00 A two-tailed tiger swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio multicaudata) visiting columbine in eastern WAPhoto by: D.G. James Biology Many of the predators and parasitoids described in the other factsheets also play a secondary beneficial role in the garden—they help in flower pollination. As adults, hover flies, predatory […]
Pollinators: Pollination categories: About Pollinators Pollinators revision date: 2022-12-14 12:00 Brown-belted bumblebee queen (Bombus griseocollis) foraging on blanketflowerPhoto by: D. James Biology Pollination is the most important event in a plant’s life. Without pollination there is no seed production and proliferation of the species. Some plants depend on wind for pollen transport but the vast […]
Pollinators: How they work categories: About Pollinators Pollinators revision date: 2022-12-14 12:00 Polyester bee (Colletidae) showing collection of pollen on the rear legPhoto by: D. James Biology The effectiveness of different insect visitors to flowers as pollinators depends on their ability to carry pollen. Bees, for example, are well equipped to carry pollen with hairs […]
Pollinators: Threats to Pollinators categories: About Pollinators Pollinators revision date: 2022-12-14 12:00 Juba skipper butterflies pollinate native rabbitbrushes during fall.Photo by: D. James Biology Pollinators are threatened by a multitude of factors including habitat degradation and fragmentation, decline of flower-rich plant communities, the spread of pathogens, pesticide use and climate change. Of these threats, habitat […]
Pollinators: Creating Pollinator Habitat in Urban Gardens categories: About Pollinators Pollinators revision date: 2022-12-15 12:00 Brown-belted bumblebee queen (Bombus griseocollis) foraging on blanketflowerPhoto by: D. James Biology Home gardens whether in urban or isolated areas can offer an important refuge and resource for pollinators. However, the use of pesticides must be avoided if your home […]