10 Facts About Native Pollinators

Native Pollinator Fact #1

North America has about 1000 species of sweat bees, some as small as a grain of rice. Florida alone has at least 60!

Native Pollinator Fact #2

Beetles are one of the most diverse and oldest pollinators. Fossils suggest that beetles and flies were around 200 million years ago. Today, there are over 300,000 species of beetles worldwide, 10% of which are present in the United States.

Native Pollinator Fact #3

Most bee species aren’t aggressive. In fact, many species of bees don’t have stingers at all. Of those that do, some can’t even pierce human skin with them.

Native Pollinator Fact #4

There are over 300 species of hummingbirds, making them the second-largest family of birds.

Native Pollinator Fact #5

Sphinx moths have been known to have proboscises as long as 12 inches. That’s the longest tongue of any other moth or butterfly.

Native Pollinator Fact #6

Butterflies don’t have taste buds. They have contact chemoreceptors, or taste receptors, on their legs!

Native Pollinator Fact #7

Mason bees cover their entire bodies with pollen (imagine Styrofoam and static electricity) which makes them far more effective at pollination than honeybees. Mason bees have a 95% pollination rate compared to a honeybee’s 5%.

Native Pollinator Fact #8

If you think you’re seeing the same hummingbird coming back to your feeders and flowers, you’re probably right. Hummingbirds can remember the food sources they’ve been to and how long it takes for nectar to replenish in flowers.

Native Pollinator Fact #9

Female bumblebees can sting multiple times because their stingers aren’t barbed. Male bumblebees, however, don’t have stingers at all.

Native Pollinator Fact #10

Butterflies are dark, disturbing creatures. They’re out here eating poop, getting drunk, and raping pupae. Because they write it well, check out this article from National Geographic.

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