Written by: Penelope Hyland, CO Master Gardener, 2018
Pollinators are busy flying through the spring air. Pollinators are crucial to the food web, as over 80% of the world’s flowering plants require a pollinator in order to reproduce and 1 out of every 3 bites of the food we eat is created with the assistance of pollinators. They also contribute to healthy ecosystems in the way of healthy soils and clean water by helping to keep plants robust.
Many flowering plants have co-evolved with pollinators to attract specific species. We know that the monarch butterfly needs milkweed in order to survive and thankfully people and communities have been responding to their dwindling numbers by planting more milkweed. Monarch numbers have been starting to stabilize and increase. Research has also shown that the monarch will find even individual milkweed plants. Even with the situation improving for the monarchs, the number of pollinators are diminishing. This is mostly due from human activities including destruction of habitat with housing development and road construction, intensive farming practices and the use of pesticides. With proper agricultural methods, the use of pesticides is not even needed. Air pollution is also affecting bees as they interact with the scent molecules released by plants which bees need to locate food. Plants and pollinators have evolved side by side. Over time, plants have developed complex ways to attract pollinators, however, ecosystems containing wide biodiversity is necessary for all pollinators to complete their job.
Among all the pollinators, bees are some of the most valuable pollinating 80% of all flowering plants in the world including more than 130 types of fruits and vegetables. Bees are essential for our food security and nutrition and help to maintain biodiversity and vibrant ecosystems. One of every three bites of food we eat are fertilized by bees. They also provide high quality food like honey, royal jelly, pollen, beeswax, propolis and honey bee venom.
Bees are dependent on flowers for food in the form of both pollen and nectar. They are very fascinating creatures that sing the note of “C” and perform a waggle dance as they collect pollen and nectar. They use the sugar from nectar as fuel for flying and the proteins and amino acids in pollen to provide nutrients for the young bee larvae. They actually have 4 wings: 2 wings hook together to form a large wing for flying and then unhook when not in flight. Only the females collect pollen and nectar and only the females are able to sting; although they typically only sting when threatened. Bees are able to see all colors except for red, so keep that in mind when planting flowers. Hummingbirds are attracted to reds, oranges and yellows and bees to all colors except red.
One of their most important tasks is that of making honey. Bees make honey for food after flowers stop blooming and during the winter months. The creation of honey is a complex process. A typical bee will only be able to produce 1 ½ teaspoons of honey during its lifespan and it can require up to 2 million flower visits to produce 1 pound of honey.
First, the bee needs to visit a plant that produces nectar (not all plants do). They will suck the nectar out and store it in its 2nd “honey” stomach. They add an enzyme to the nectar and when they return to the nest pass this mixture to other bees through their mouths. Each bee will chew this for approximately 30 minutes and then pass it onto another bee who repeats the process. The enzyme breaks down the complex sugars into simple sugars of glucose and glucose. The nectar has a high concentration of water and each passing of the mixture from one bee to another also reduces the water amount. When the water concentration is reduced it will be poured into the honeycomb cells – which are basically little jars of wax. The bees then flap their wings over the honey to continue to reduce water content until it reaches 18% and it thickens to become honey. At this point they seal each cell with wax and it is able to last indefinitely.
Honey is a valuable food source for both bees and humans. It contains nut, minerals, amino acids, enzymes and compounds from flowers as well as unique flavors, fragrances and colors depending upon the flowers it was gathered from. Honey also has the properties of being anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and probiotic as well as a sweetener.
As bees need a plant that provides nectar in addition to pollen, it is important to plant a variety of flowers. The following is a partial list of flowering plants that provide nectar for bees some of which are also native to this area:
- Milkweed
- Dandelion
- Borage
- Honeysuckle
- Yarrow
- Hibiscus
- Snapdragon
- Phlox
- Purple cornflower
- Blazing star
- Hyssop (Agastache)
- Salvia
- Beardtongue penstemon
- Butterfly bush
- Ironweed
- Lilac
- Sedum
- Mexican sunflower
- Marigold
- Catmint
- Bee balm
All pollinators are crucial to assist in providing food sources for humans. It is in our best interest to ensure their survival. Farmers, ranchers and foresters around the country are stepping up to help boost populations of pollinators with conservation practices. Every individual can also help through a variety of simple practices:
- Limit the use of pesticides to those that do not harm bees and pollinators. Spray in windless weather either early in the morning or late at night when bees withdraw from blossoms
- Plant nectar bearing flowers
- Buy honey and other hive products from your local beekeeper
- Plant a pollinator garden including small areas like a terrace or balcony
- Raise awareness among children about the importance of bees
- Express your support for beekeepers
- Preserve old meadows which have a diverse array of flowers
- Cut grass in meadows only after nectar bearing plants have finished blooming
National Pollinator Week is June 17-23 this year and everyone is encouraged to participate in this celebration by planting at least one native flowering plant to support all pollinators. In addition, World Bee Day this year is May 20th. Support the bees and all pollinators by utilizing one or more of the above suggestions. The bees will thank you!