= You can “bee”a big help to pollinators of all kinds when youplantlots of colorful flowers. (NAPSA)—Beesare synonymouswith pollination—and for good reason. Their size, shape and physical characteristics— fuzzy bodies that so effectively collect and transport pollen—makethem efficientforagers. Additionally, they are conditioned to collect ample pollen to take back to their brood, a behaviorthathas helpedreinforce their reputation as “busy bees.” Its important to recognize, however, that other insects and animals contribute to pollination, the important process of collecting and distributing pollen to help plants reproduce and bear food. Research conducted in recent years suggests that the combinedactivity ofnon-bee pollinators— such asflies, bats and butterflies—can be just as valuableto pollination as bees. Meet The Lesser-KnownPollinators A black-and-yellow-striped insect hovering above a flower is not always a bee. Some flies—such as flower flies, or hoverflies—resemble bees; for this reason, guavas and mangoes. Bats are also found in the desert, where theypollinate the aga- ve plant. Butterflies aren't physically able to carry as much pollen as bees can buttheir quick and graceful movements help them cover a larger land area, drinking nectar with their long tongues and pollinating plants along the way. What You Can Do To Help Pollinators Thrive Providing food andforageis one of the best ways to keep pollinators productive and healthy and the agriculture industry is helping. For example, with Operation Pollinator, global agriculture company Syngenta partners with commercialfarms, golf courses and conservation organizations to establish large swathsofwildflower plots for pollinators. For homegardeners, establishing pol- linator plots can be as easy as incorpo- flies, there would be no cocoa beansto pro- rating native flowers within your yard or garden plantings. Selecting a mixture of plants that will attract pollinators during the growing seasons helps provide a food sourcefor pollinatorsthat are active at various times throughout the year. Choosing flowers that vary in color, size and shapealso helps attract a diverse variety ofpollinators. turnal, they feast on the nectar of flowers For further information on pollina- they're called bee mimics. Several plant species—most notably, the cocoa tree— rely exclusively on fly pollination. Without duce the chocolate enjoyed throughout the world. It might comeas a surprise that bats are responsible for pollinating hundreds of different plant species. Since bats are noc- Learn More that open at night, includingthe flowering tors, visit www.beehealth.org. plants and trees that produce bananas, oo nae n nnn a Editor’s Note: National Pollinator Week is June 19-25, 2017, but this article can be of interest to your readers at any time.
