Pollinator insects are essential in our garden. But which insects are pollinators? We clarify.
Many people know that insects play a central role in our gardens. In fact, only a few people know that there are numerous other pollinators in addition to the well-known bees and bumblebees. These are particularly important because wild plants in particular cannot be pollinated by every insect; on the contrary, they are dependent on certain pollinator insects. It is all the more important to be aware of the diversity of pollinators. In our article we will tell you which pollinators there are and why they are so essential for us.
What do pollinators do in the garden?
Even if many pollinator insects are often tiny, their importance for the garden is particularly great. In fact, over 80% of our domestic crops and wild plants are dependent on pollination by insects. In the context of zoophilia, i.e. pollination by animals, the male pollen (this contains sperm cells) of a plant is transported to the female plant organ (scar). This forms the basis for the formation of seeds and fruits. Pollinator insects are therefore not only essential for the reproduction of numerous plants, but also make an indispensable contribution to our diet. It is impossible to imagine the vegetable garden without pollinators, because only pollinated plants produce large, healthy fruits.
List of native pollinator insects
Pollinators come in every imaginable color and shape. The honey bee is of course particularly well-known, but butterflies, bumblebees and other insects are also important pollinators in home gardens. But not only insects can be pollinators: Did you know that pollination by birds or even bats is also possible? In tropical areas in particular, they play an important role in the pollination of plants. You can find out below which pollinator insects are particularly widespread and important in our country.
1. Honey bee
the Honey bees (Apis) are probably among the most well-known pollinators. No wonder, after all, the European honey bee (Apis mellifera) is not only a useful pollinator, but also produces the delicious honey. Honey bees live in associations with around 20,000 other bees and are very social animals that live in permanent states. From around 10 ° C and only when the weather is good, the hard-working animals fly out and look for nectar and pollen. The honey bee proves to be a generalist: Almost 80% of all plants dependent on cross-pollination can potentially from Bees are pollinated - so the honey bee is one of the most important in the garden as well as in agriculture Pollinator insects.
2. Wild bees
In addition to honey bees, there are also numerous wild bee species that are also pollinators. The biggest difference to their famous relatives lies in their lifestyle: Almost 95% of wild bees live solitary, so they do not form a state. In Germany alone there are almost 560 different species of wild bees, the smallest of which, the narrow bee (Lasioglossum calceatum), is not much larger than a grain of rice, while the blue wooden bee (Xylocopa violacea), on the other hand, becomes almost three centimeters tall. Although wild bees are rather unknown to laypeople, they are particularly important for the garden: it is assumed that two One third of the pollination service in Germany is performed by wild bees - so wild bees are at the forefront of the Pollinator insects. The reason for their good pollinator performance is the fact that wild bees are often already when it is cooler Temperatures and even light rain fly, while honeybees in this weather in the hive linger. Mason bees in particular are reliable bad weather pollinators, which particularly reliably fly to apricots and cherries. But many wild plants also benefit from wild bees, as some of them have specialized in native plants - for example, the bryony sand bee collects (Andrena florea) For example, only the pollen from the local bryony blossom (Bryonia).
3. Bumblebees
Even though Bumblebees (Bomb) also belong to the wild bees, they are much better known and also more popular than many other wild bee species. In addition to their almost chubby appearance, their peaceful nature is particularly popular with many gardeners. As a pollinator, however, the bumblebee is primarily characterized by its robust nature. It flies from 3 ° C, defies smaller rainfall and can be on the move for up to 18 hours. With their long proboscis and sturdy shape, bumblebees can even catch plants like dead nettle (Lamium) pollinate that are inaccessible to other pollinator insects. The bumblebee is particularly popular with vegetable gardeners: it pollinates tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) and potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) not only better than the bee, but it is also considered the most important pollinator for clover (Trifolium), Peas (Pisum sativum) and beans (Phaseolus vulgaris).
4. Butterflies
Not just because of their pretty looks Butterflies (Lepidoptera) a welcome guest in the garden - many butterfly species also serve as a pollinator insect. In fact, butterflies can often pollinate plants that are inaccessible to other pollinators. Thanks to their proboscis, they are able to suck nectar from tubular flowers up to 40 millimeters deep. Many butterfly species are often highly specialized and only visit a few selected plant species. But not only butterflies are active as pollinators, moths are also pollinators and can fly to long-tube flowers. They are among the most important pollinators of honeysuckles (Lonicera), but also control other long-tubular flowers such as the forest honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum) at.
5. Hoverflies
For many people, flies are just annoying insects that are of no use. on Hoverflies (Syrphidae) however, this assumption does not fit at all. In fact, the little flight artists are extremely important pollinators. Adult hoverflies feed exclusively on nectar and pollen, so they are among the most important pollinators alongside bees. The dung bees (Eristalis tenax) can be found on almost all flowering plants, for example, but are particularly effective pollinators of umbellate flowers and bulbous plants. Hoverflies are considered to be particularly robust, so that they often pollinate even after other pollinator insects have given up. In addition, some hover flies can be used in the fight against pests: The larvae of the common winter hover fly (Episyrphus balteatus) eat reliably, for example Aphids.
6. Beetle
Beetle (Coleoptera) come in all shapes and sizes. So it is not surprising that some of them are also active as pollinators. However, beetles are often unpopular with gardeners as pollinators. The reason for this is their chewing-biting mouthparts, with which they ingest pollen, but at the same time severely damage the flowers. This often looks ugly, but is not a problem for beetle flowers, as they often rely on a large number of flowers. Plants that are particularly well pollinated by beetles include, for example, the water lilies (Nymphaea), but also tulips (Tulipa) or magnolias (Magnolia).
7. Wasps
Wasps (Vespinae) are feared by many people because of their painful sting. In doing so, many forget that this insect is also a useful pollinator. In fact, adult wasps mostly feed on nectar, pollen, and honeydew. Some plants, like figwort (Scrophularia) or ivy (Hedera helix), have even specially adapted to the pollination of wasps and show particularly short, easily accessible flowers. Since wasps collect primarily for their own use, but not for brood rearing, they can usually be found in autumn and are important pollinators for late-flowering plants.
Support pollinator insects in the garden
Pollinator insects are indispensable in the garden because they ensure that the plants are fertilized. However, the number of insects is falling steadily because they lack the right habitat and suitable food plants. Pollinator insects can therefore best be supported with an abundant supply of food in the garden: various insect-friendly perennials and shrubs, native wild plants and the selection of plants with different flowering times serve as a good basis for a sufficient food supply for beneficial insects. Rock gardens, large lawns and plants unfriendly to bees should be avoided in your garden as much as possible. To ensure that as many pollinator insects as possible find their way into the garden, it is important to offer a wide range of different plants. They are therefore perfectly suited insect-friendly seed mixtureswhich include different plants for different pollinator insects.
But also the renunciation of chemicals and the use organic fertilizer and sustainable soils ensure that a garden is made more insect-friendly and thus attracts more pollinators.
You can find out how you can further support pollinators in our article "Insect-friendly garden: tips for more biodiversity“.