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Pollinators come in many different shapes: birds, insects, rodents, reptiles, etc. Some species, such as the famous bee, have adapted to explicitly pollinate plants through their need for nectar: a sweet substance found inside flowers. Other species indirectly spread pollen when interacting with different plants.
What Exactly is a Pollinator?
What Exactly is a Pollinator?
A pollinator is an organism that directly or indirectly transfers pollen between flowers (often in the search for nectar from the plant), which helps plants with reproduction, fruiting, and spreading seeds.
Not all plants rely on pollinators to reproduce, but it does help plant species to diversify their genes and develop immunity against disease.
General Tips for Helping Pollinators
General Tips for Helping Pollinators
WATER
WATER
Pollinators require water to survive, and the summer months can especially be a challenge due to evaporation. Creating a safe spot to settle and have water is a hands-off way to help local species.
Here's a hands-off way to help: Place a shallow bowl of water in a shaded area during periods of high heat: bonus points if you add rocks for smaller creatures to rest on.
FOOD
FOOD
While pollinators are known to be attracted to the nectar in plants, they tend feed on much more: fruit, leaves, small insects, etc. As the feeding patterns tend to shift depending on the species, here are some general things to try:
Make a homemade birdfeeder! Take a small plate and station it on a tree or other sheltered spot. Add some overripe fruit (but not moldy), and it will attract butterflies and other bugs!
Make a small shelter with nuts for birds to relax and store up more energy.
Have any extra space in your lawn? Planting some native plants (especially any that attract specialized pollinators) can help local populations establish future generations: just expect them to start munching!
SHELTER/SHADE
SHELTER/SHADE
When talking about the general list of pollinator groups, there are some overlapping things to consider regarding safety and shelter:
Planting in layers allows for cooling and also provides more general shelter for organisms.
Chemical pesticides and herbicides may be appealing, but any usage should be carefully considered: not only do they directly threaten the food chain, but they could also poison or deter beneficial species.
Arizona Pollinators
Arizona Pollinators
INSECTS
INSECTS
Yucca Moth
Tegeticula spp.
Status: Secure
Activity: Night-time
Direct or Indirect Pollination: Direct
Description: Yucca moths earn their name from their mutual relationship with the Yucca cactus, where they are the sole pollinators of the cactus. They are small and have white-colored wings that match the colors of the Yucca cactus flower.
How to Support: When possible, turn off any unnecessary lights at night. Avoid unnecessary disturbance of Yucca plants.
Arizona Metalmark
Calephelis arizonensis
Status: Special Concern
Activity: Migrations occur multiple times a year.
Direct or Indirect Pollination: Direct
Description: This species of Metalmark often resides in and migrates through Arizona when observed. Host plants are limited, including Joe Pye Weed and Beggarticks. Due to decreasing populations of these host plants, the Arizona Metalmark is under special concern.
How to Support: Plant a few of its preferred plants, leave cocoons undisturbed, and avoid overusing pesticides within the garden and local area.
Monarch Butterfly
Danaus plexippus
Status: Endangered
Activity: Fall, during migration
Direct or Indirect Pollination: Direct
Description: One of the most well-known butterfly species, this butterfly pollinates as it migrates through the United States.
How to Support: Plant native milkweed species for passing-by butterflies. Milkweed is a host species and is essential for the butterflies to reproduce; however, butterfly species need a healthy amount of milkweed to use as a host plant, so plant them in groups.
Valley Carpenter Bee
Xylocopa sonorina
Status: Least Concern
Activity: Spring, Summer
Direct or Indirect Pollination: Direct
Description: These bees prefer the nightshade family, such as tomatoes, eggplants, and potatoes. This species can visit multiple flowers a minute, so access to an abundance of flowers in crucial. They rarely sting.
Mason Bee
Osmia spp.
Status: At risk
Activity: Spring
Direct or Indirect Pollination: Directs
Description: Stingless! They are efficient in the pollination of fruit trees.
How to Support: Plant a variety of wild flowers and avoid overusing pesticides within the garden and local area. This species is also known to adjust well when bee boards are supplied.
Mojave Poppy Bee
Perdita meconis
Status: Threatened
Activity: Limited Sightings
Direct or Indirect Pollination: Direct
Description: The Poppy Bee is the primary pollinator of the Las Vegas bear poppy and the Dwarf bear poppy. Sightings of the species are quite limited.
The North American Snout
Libytheana carinenta
Status: Secure
Activity: Winter, during migration
Direct or Indirect Pollination: Direct
Description: This species is the only native butterfly snout species in the United States. Due to their large 'snout'. this species is easy to identify.
How to Support: This species particularly likes hackberry, in addition to other wildflowers.
Cactus Bee
Diadasia rinconis
Status: Threatened
Activity: During cactus blooms
Direct or Indirect Pollination: Direct
Description: This bee has the dedicated purpose of pollinating the saguaro, prickly pear, and cholla cacti.
How to Support: Plant a variety of wild flowers and avoid overusing pesticides within the garden and local area.
Leafcutter Bee
Megachile perihirta
Status: Secure
Activity: Spring, Summer
Direct or Indirect Pollination: Direct
Description: These bees cut circles and ovals into plant leaves to build nests out of to preserve honey and their young. They are typically seen around the Lantana flower. These bees are rarely hostile.
How to Support: Plant a variety of wildflowers and avoid overusing pesticides within the garden and local area.
Globe Mallow Bee
Diadasia diminuta
Status: Secure
Activity: Spring, Summer
Direct or Indirect Pollination: Direct
Description: This species of Diadasia specializes on globemallow flowers, and is found along western and parts of the southern United States.
How to Support: Avoid spraying or deploying pesticides near globemallow flowers. Fostering globemallow flowers and leaving water outside for passing-by pollinators are positive ways to support these populations.
American Carrion Beetle
Necrophila americana
Status: Endangered
Activity: Spring, Summer, Fall
Direct or Indirect Pollination: Indirect
Description: Though they primarily feed on larvae and off of decomposing matter, these beetles will also pick up pollen from plants! These beetles further the decomposition process while keeping harmful bacteria at bay, supplying nutrients for local plantlife.
How to Support: Limit the use of pesticides within your property.
Juvenal's Duskywing
Erynnis juvenalis
Status: Secure
Activity: Spring
Direct or Indirect Pollination: Direct
Description: Adults will feed on the nectar of wildflowers, while caterpillars will feed on the leaves of oak trees.
How to Support: Plant a variety of wild flowers, leave cocoons undisturbed, and avoid overusing pesticides within the garden and local area. A homemade butterfly feeder could also be beneficial!
Tripartite Sweat Bee
Halictus tripartitus
Status: Secure
Activity: Spring, Summer, Fall
Direct or Indirect Pollination: Direct
Description: These bees are attracted to human perspiration, but are rarely hostile towards humans. This species lives in the ground and may be solitary or semi-social.
How to Support: Plant a variety of wild flowers and avoid overusing pesticides within the garden and local area.
Blue-winged Wasp
Scolia dubia
Status: Least Concern
Activity: Spring, Summer
Direct or Indirect Pollination: Direct
Description: This pollinator is a predator of the Japanese beetle, making it a useful companion for the garden. They are harmless unless disturbed, and enjoy the nectar of wildflowers such as Goldenrod.
How to Support: Plant a variety of wild flowers and avoid overusing pesticides within the garden and local area.
***The amount of pollinating species in Arizona goes well beyond this list, and this page is not intended to be fully representative of the mentioned species. Due to migration patterns and shifting climate zones, this information may change over time.
BIRDS
BIRDS
White-Winged Dove
Zenaida asiatica
Status: Secure
Activity: Summer
Direct or Indirect Pollination: Indirect
Description: Found in both rural and urban communities. They will primarily eat seeds, cactus fruits, and grain, but love to wander and will often stop on wildflowers.
How to Support: Supporting this species may involve planting wildflowers in your garden or providing an open water source such as a birdbath.
Mourning Dove
Zenaida macroura
Status: Least Concern
Activity: All seasons
Direct or Indirect Pollination: Direct
Description: They feed on pollen, allowing them to exchange between flowers.
How to Support: Planting shrubs or evergreens may help doves to build nests.
Rivoli's Hummingbird
Eulampis fulgens
Status: Least Concern
Activity: Spring, Summer
Direct or Indirect Pollination: Direct
Description: Planting wildflowers and providing water and shade will be beneficial for this species and others that stop by!
White-crowned Sparrow
Zonotrichia leucophrys
Status: Least Concern
Activity: Spring, Summer, Fall
Direct or Indirect Pollination: Indirect
Description: This bird species has a diet of fruits, insects, and wildflower seeds. They pollinate through perching on wildflowers and carrying pollen on their bodies.
How to Support: Plant wildflowers in your garden or provide an open water source such as a birdbath.
MAMMALS
MAMMALS
Mexican Long-Nosed Bat
Leptonycteris nivalis
Status: Endangered
Activity: Summer
Direct or Indirect Pollination: Direct
Description: This is an Arizona native bat species that pollinates the Arizona Agave plant, but is experiencing habitat loss due to agricultural cultivation of Agave. This species is also nocturnal, and light pollution may disrupt their instincts.
How to Support: When possible, turn off any unnecessary lights at night. Avoid unnecessary disturbance of native succulent species.
Lesser Long-Nosed Bat
Leptonycteris yerbabuenae
Status: Endangered
Activity: Spring, Summer
Direct or Indirect Pollination: Direct
Description: This bat species is a known pollinator of the saguaro cactus, but also pollinates other succulents in their area. When grabbing nectar, the bat's head picks up pollen granules that are then transferred to surrounding species.
How to Support: When possible, turn off any unnecessary lights at night. Avoid unnecessary disturbance of native succulent species.
***The amount of pollinating species in Arizona goes well beyond this list, and this page is not intended to be fully representative of the mentioned species. Due to migration patterns and shifting climate zones, this information may change over time.
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