Learn About Our Busy Bees
The Importance of Bees and Butterflies: A Natural Connection
Learn – The Buzz About Bees
There are over 20,000 known bee species in the world, and 4,000 of them are native to the United States. They range from the tiny (2 mm) and solitary Perdita minima, known as the world’s smallest bee, to kumquat-sized species of carpenter bees. Bees sizes, shapes, and colors are as diverse as the flowers they pollinate. There is still much that we don’t know about native bees—many are smaller than a grain of rice and about 10% of bees in the United States have yet to be named or described—but all of these bees have jobs as pollinators.
Bees are pollinators, which means they help plants reproduce by transferring pollen from one flower to another. This process is crucial for the growth of fruits, vegetables, and other crops that we rely on for food. In fact, bees are responsible for pollinating about one-third of the food we eat. Without bees, our diets would be much less diverse and far less nutritious.
Interestingly, honeybees are not native to the United States; they were brought over by European settlers in the 1600s. Despite their non-native status, they have become integral to our agricultural systems. Native bees are less aggressive compared to honeybees and are important pollinators too. They help in the reproduction of many plants, support biodiversity and ecosystem health.
Grow – Bees and Their Role
Native bees serve as the primary insect pollinators for agricultural plants across most of the country. Unlike European honeybees introduced by settlers, native bees have been essential pollinators long before. While honeybees are crucial for specific crops like almonds and lemons, native bees such as blue orchard bees excel as more effective pollinators for many crops, especially those native to the Americas. Globally, native bees are estimated to pollinate around 80 percent of flowering plants.
Numerous native wild and crop plants rely on specific sets of bees that only visit them. Preserving all our flowering native plants is crucial for bee conservation.
Change – The Butterfly and Moth Connection
Butterflies and moths, like bees, are also pollinators, but they connect with the ecosystem in a slightly different way. Butterflies and moths are regarded as the second most crucial pollinators after bees. Unlike honeybees, most butterflies are native to the United States and thrive in wild areas. The plants that butterflies rely on for food and reproduction are often those that have evolved alongside them for millions of years.
We encourage people to plant native plants, to support all of us. It helps provide food and habitat for bees, butterflies, birds, lizards and more. Native plants are well-adapted to local climates and require less water, making them an excellent choice for gardens, especially in regions prone to drought. Additionally, these plants often have deep roots, which help prevent soil erosion and contribute to fire safety.
You’re invited to join as a member! Members receive monthly seeds to aid our designated butterfly of the month. This non-profit donation contributes to our mission of educating the community on the significance of butterflies and pollinators.
