Pollinators are in Decline

Spring and summer flowers bring joy and color to our landscapes. They are our reward from tolerating the deep, heavy snows of last winter. But our plants need help aside from sunshine and water to grow. They need pollination. Pollination is giving pollen from another plant of the same kind so that seed will be produced. Pollinators are responsible for 90% of flowering plants and one third of human food crops. However, our pollinators are in decline due to habitat loss, misuse of pesticides and disease. 

There is a long list of pollinators who work to help provide food and plant diversity over the world. Most common are the four B’s: bees, bats, butterflies, and birds. Bats use their long noses and tongues to remove pollen and nectar. Bees and butterflies use their legs and long tongues to pollinate. The most common pollinating birds are hummingbirds. Hummers use their long beaks and tongues to enter tubular flowers.  

Most pollinators are attracted to nectar producing plants like flowers. However, butterflies also need host plants to lay their eggs for the caterpillar to eat. Creating gardens with blooms throughout the seasons will offer food through fall. Pollinators also need a reliable water source and shelter from severe weather and predators. 

(Kathy and her husband, John, own and operate the Wild Birds Unlimited, located in Billings and at www.wbu.com/billings.  She is a Certified Bird Feeding Specialist and is past president of the Yellowstone Valley Audubon Society).