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30% of our food comes from pollinators & I want to do an education thread about the native bees who are important & often left out of save the bees campaigns aimed at honeybees (who are non-native, but very cute). So look below for cute bees & info 1/
Alfalfa Leaf Cutter Bees
These bees pollinate alfalfa & are super important!! These are solitary bees (no hive) that live in tree holes and they cut up leaves for their nests. These bees are short-lived but do a LOT of pollinating instead 2/
These bees pollinate alfalfa & are super important!! These are solitary bees (no hive) that live in tree holes and they cut up leaves for their nests. These bees are short-lived but do a LOT of pollinating instead 2/
Bumblebees
There are several species, but they all pollinate some of the same plants like: kiwi, potatoes, strawberry tree, cashew, peppers, watermelon, etc. They have small hives 3/
There are several species, but they all pollinate some of the same plants like: kiwi, potatoes, strawberry tree, cashew, peppers, watermelon, etc. They have small hives 3/
Carpenter Bees
There are 500 different species. They all borrow in dead wood or bamboo to make nests, sometimes even the soil. Solitary bees that pollinate jack bean, horse bean, sword bean, etc 4/
There are 500 different species. They all borrow in dead wood or bamboo to make nests, sometimes even the soil. Solitary bees that pollinate jack bean, horse bean, sword bean, etc 4/
Squash Bees
Often pollinate just a few plant species that they are highly evolved with. Like cantelope, melon, squash, pumpkin, etc 5/
Often pollinate just a few plant species that they are highly evolved with. Like cantelope, melon, squash, pumpkin, etc 5/
Orchard Mason Bee or Blue Mason Bee
If you like apples you need these solitary bees to pollinate the flowers. Plus lots of other fruit trees. Hole nesters. /6
If you like apples you need these solitary bees to pollinate the flowers. Plus lots of other fruit trees. Hole nesters. /6
There are a many more bee species as well, not to mention flies, butterflies, moths, and other important insect pollinators. Honeybees CANT do it all bc they are obligate pollinators & did not evolve with all these plants. 40% of poll are in danger of extinction so pls /7
plant pollinator gardens, don't mow dandelions, don't use pesticides & herbicides, make bee houses or buy them, have water bee baths, etc. Support our tiny neighbors & they will support us! End thread
Here's a start for friendly pollinator plants where I'm from (Midwest)
Milkweed species
Purple Coneflower & grey-headed coneflower
Bee Balm
Goldenrod
Black/brown eyed Susans
Sunflowers
Aster species
Lavender
Service berry
Clover
& so many more! This will make your lawn so much
Milkweed species
Purple Coneflower & grey-headed coneflower
Bee Balm
Goldenrod
Black/brown eyed Susans
Sunflowers
Aster species
Lavender
Service berry
Clover
& so many more! This will make your lawn so much
prettier and healthier too. You and the kids or neighbors can watch the insects pollinate & the caterpillars grow up. And don't plant any invasive plants! Be sure to look up on the internet if a plant is invasive before purchasing
