Pollinators are creatures, whether insects, birds, or sometimes mammals, that facilitate the transfer of pollen from one plant to another, aiding in the fertilization process. This movement of pollen grains between plants is a means of sharing plant material, beneficial for reproduction, and allows plants to produce fruits such as apples, oranges, pumpkins, nuts, and berries. Some organisms, like bees, intentionally pollinate as part of their food creation, survival, and social structure systems. Others, like hummingbirds, inadvertently do so while visiting multiple flowers for nectar.
Why Pollinators Matter:
Pollinators are indispensable to any ecosystem. They foster plant growth and help maintain landscape diversity. The majority of plants require some level of pollination. Agriculture, in particular, relies heavily on pollinators such as bees for the pollination of fruit-bearing trees and plants, which are essential components of food supply and the economy.
Common Pollinators in the United States:
There are many common pollinators in the United States, distributed across various habitats including rural and urban areas.
Monarch Butterflies: Once abundant but now considered endangered due to declining numbers, these butterflies are regarded as one of the most significant pollinators. They favor milkweed, Asclepius (butterfly weed), and buddleia (butterfly bush) for their important food sources.
Butterflies: Many butterfly species are effective and beautiful pollinators. Some are attracted to very specific plants. The populations of most butterfly species are declining mainly due to habitat loss, making planting butterfly-friendly plants crucial for their survival.
Hummingbirds: These elusive but playful birds, known for their stunning appearance, enjoy visiting numerous flowers including agastache (hummingbird 
mint) and penstemon (beardtongue) for nectar.
Bats: Shy nocturnal creatures, bats eat many pesky insects (like mosquitoes) and are generally beneficial to local ecosystems. You can attract them to your garden by installing a bat house. Although their behavior resembles that of birds, bats are actually mammals. They are essential pollinators for certain crops like durian, dragon fruit, and African sausage trees.
Beetles: While some beetles, like Japanese beetles or lily leaf beetles, may be garden pests, many others are excellent pollinators. Beetles are known as one of the earliest pollinators on Earth, given the vast number of beetle species in prehistoric times. They also tend to chew leaves as part of the pollination process.
Wasps: Despite their stingy behavior, wasps manage to be very effective pollinators.
Bees: There are many types of beneficial pollinating bees, including honeybees, carpenter bees, sweat bees, and bumblebees.
Moths: Similar to butterflies, many moths are nocturnal and pollinate flowers after dark. Moth caterpillars are also an important food source for many birds, bats, frogs, toads, and lizards, contributing to healthy ecosystems.
Mosquitoes: Yes, these biting machines and disease vectors actually serve a purpose: pollination!
Flies: Perhaps not everyone's favorite insects, flies nonetheless are pollinators for various plants. Their rapid reproduction rate makes them common pollinators in many areas.
Lizards: In some regions, such as islands with unique ecosystems, lizards become vital pollinators, equally important as birds and insects.
Other Pollinating Mammals: Apart from various bat species, there are some other mammals that act as pollinators, including certain types of shrews, possums, lemurs, and foxes.
How to Support Pollinators:
You can support pollinators in your area in several ways:Create habitat for pollinators. Allowing some weeds to grow in your lawn or making parts of your property a bit wilder can help attract a greater variety of pollinators.
Avoid using toxic herbicides or pesticides. These products can disrupt insect behavior and are associated with colony collapse disorder. There are many organic methods for dealing with unwanted weeds and pests.
Plant pollinator-friendly plants. Planting flowers that attract bees, butterflies, moths, hummingbirds, and other birds can bring these pollinators to your yard, creating a welcoming environment for them to thrive and seek food.
Avoid bright outdoor lights at night. Bright outdoor lighting can confuse nocturnal birds, many of which play the role of pollinators. Try using solar lights or motion sensors to reduce excessive unnecessary lighting.
Support local farmers and beekeepers. Supporting their work by purchasing products from organic farmers and beekeepers helps ensure efforts to cultivate healthy habitats for pollinators.
