Which Pollinator Matches Up To Your Favorite Food?
We got to thinking about all the unique species of pollinators that visit flowers and work to create some of our most favorite, healthy, and delicious food crops. Find your favorite fruits, vegetables, and nuts below to see which pollinator loves it as well!
Blueberries and Bees
The good thing about pollinators and flowers is that most all of the 200,000 species that spread pollen are attracted to a wide range of plant species. There are some creatures that really, really like some flowers over others. A favorite of ours are wild blueberries and raspberries. What's not to love about them? They go great with pancakes to cocktails. One specific species that loves them too are native solitary bees. In fact, blueberry blossoms have evolved to fit the size and shape of these native bees. Solitary bees are also more efficient at pollinating than honeybees (15x more!), since they don't make honey and don't have a queen to protect. Native bees are also much more docile and rarely sting, so having them around is a great thing! In southern states, there's even a specific species called the Southeastern Blueberry Bee!
Almonds and Honeybees
California produces the world's biggest crop of Almonds and that is because of the climate but also because billions of honeybees are trucked into the state each spring to pollinate the one and a half million acres of almond trees! The pollination period lasts less than three weeks but it's a billion dollar business and the biggest managed pollination event in the world. The bees then go back to thousands of apiaries around the U.S. where they pollinate crops and wildflowers to produce thousands of gallons of honey for the rest of the year. Farmers also rely on the Blue Orchid Bee that's native to parts of California and a group of just 250 can pollinate an entire acre of trees in 2 to 3 weeks!
Bee Balm and Anise Meet the Hummingbird
If you're a fan of either Anise or Bee Balm, then thank the tiny hummingbird. These birds are attracted to the trumpet shape of flowers and it's nectar. The leaves of bee balm can be used in salads and teas and have wonderful aromatic and healthy benefits. Add to gingerbread cookies or find it in drinks like Sambuca and Absinthe.
Bananas Tequila and Bats
You may not think of bats when you have your morning banana or that tequila shot when you're out with friends, but these little furry creatures are the night crew of pollinators. The desert agave plant depends heavily on bats since it's delicate flowers open at night when it's cooler. The fragrant blossoms attract both insects and bats. The bats get a treat because they enjoy the nectar and the bugs! Bats burn a lot of energy because they can remain in flight for hours each night, the agave produces high levels of sugary nectar to keep them going. While many commercial bananas don't require pollination, they do require research and genetic support. Bats provide this by helping native varieties be more resilient to diseases and insects, which helps maintain crop quality and quantity. While we're talking about bats, it's important to note they also support other amazing foods like figs, mangos, nuts, and cacao (aks: chocolate!) Bats help farmers in two important ways: pollination and pest control. That's why they are currently valued as a collective species at over $25,000,000,000 in the U.S. alone!
Sunflower Seeds, Lavender, and Mint Meet the Butterfly
Butterflies are some of the most beautiful species of the pollinators. There are at least 17,000 species of butterflies that contribute to thousands of types of plants. If you're a fan of Sunflower seeds, butterflies particularly love these flowers for their bright yellow color abundance of nectar, and height. Butterflies also love herbs like mint and lavender. Because of the tiny flowers on many of these and the recessed stamins, butterflies have long proboscis that can reach the inner parts of the flower. They also are important to crops like carrots, strawberries, and all types of citrus trees. Another unique characteristic of butterflies is that they travel long distances which helps to spread genetic material of flowers further away from local areas which supports survivability of plants and increases biodiversity.
Whatever your favorite food items are, remember that 75% of products in your grocery store are available because a pollinator decided to visit a flower and made your lemon, almond, banana, or squash possible! Consider supporting our flying friends by hosting a habitat. Set up a butterfly house, a birdhouse, a bee hotel, or a bat house! Plant pollinator-friendly plants and wildflower seeds or provide them a refreshment stop with a solar fountain and bath. Thanks for reading and for supporting our mission to save species and increase local food supplies!
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