pollinators important in more ways than you might think
Pollination Pollination - When pollen is moved within flowers or carried from flower to flower by pollinating animals, the wind, or water. About 80% of all plants are pollinated by biotic pollinators
Pollinators An animal that carries pollen from one flower to another Pollinators get two things by visiting plants: 1. Nectar - Liquid sugar, a high energy substance 2. Pollen – High protein substance Bees may collect this & feed to their young Other pollinators pick this up unintentionally in their hair.
Why Plants Need Pollinators The transfer of pollen in and between flowers of the same species leads to fertilization, and successful seed and fruit production for plants. Pollination ensures that a plant will produce full-bodied fruit and a full set of viable seeds.
Did you know? At least 1/3 of all the foods you eat are dependent upon pollinators. This means that millions of plants are dependent on pollinators to reproduce!
Plant Strategies Attracting pollinators is so important that plants have adapted strategies to attract pollinators to them: Color Form or shape Scent
Invertebrate Pollinators Bees Wasps Beetles Butterflies Moths Flies
Bee Pollinated Plants In the United States, there are over 4,000 species of native bees. What a human sees…What a bee sees…
Butterfly Pollinated Plants Butterflies are less efficient than bees at moving pollen between plants.
Moth Pollinated Plants Most moths pollinate the plants at night
Vertebrate Pollinators Bats Hummingbirds Lizards
Bat Pollinated Plants Most moths pollinate the plants at night
Hummingbird Pollinated Plants In the continental United States, hummingbirds are key in wildflower pollination.
Lizard Pollinated Plants Although uncommon, lizards, skinks, and geckos may be pollinator
Checking Up 1. Why are pollinators important to the survival of plants? 2. How do plants ensure pollinators will visit them? 3. What do you think would happen if a plant was pollinated by only one or two species of pollinators?