POLLINATOR SYNDROME AND BEE FLORA

 

 

  POLLINATOR SYNDROME AND BEE FLORA

Pollinators are critical to the survival of terrestrial ecosystems and organisms. Their survival depends on conservation and protection. So, how do we go about doing that? Food is an essential requirement for these pollinators' survival. They, like humans, require high-quality food, shelter, and water. Understanding pollinator needs and helping to keep these important organisms in the ecosystem has become critical.

POLLINATOR SYNDROME

"Pollinator Syndromes" refer to flower characteristics or traits that may attract a specific type of pollinator. Such characteristics can be used to predict the type of pollinator that will help the flower reproduce successfully. Color, odor, nectar quantity, pollen type, and flower structure can all influence a potential pollinator's ability to locate a flower and its food resources. Understanding flower characteristics such as color, odor, nectar, pollen, and shape allows one to predict which pollinators will visit a specific type of flowering plant. Nectar guides are distinct visual cues that direct or signal the pollinator where nectar is present. The table below explains the various types of pollinators and trait of flowers that the pollinators are attracted to.

Trait	Bat	Bee	Beetle	Bird	Butterfly	Fly	Moth	Wind
Color	White, green or purple	Bright white, yellow, blue, or UV	White or green	Scarlet, orange, red, or white	Bright red and purple	Pale, or dark brown, purple	Pale red, purple, pink, or white	Pale green, brown, or colorless
Nectar Guides	None	Present	None	None	Present	None	None	None
Odor	Strong and musty; emitted at night	Fresh, mild, pleasant	None to strongly fruity or foul	None	Faint but fresh	Putrid	Strong sweet; emitted at night	None
Nectar	Abundant; somewhat hidden	Usually present	Sometimes present	Ample; deeply hidden	Ample; deeply hidden	Usually absent	Ample; deeply hidden	None
Pollen	Ample	Limited; often sticky, scented	Ample	Limited	Limited	Limited	Limited	Abundant; small, smooth
Flower Shape	Bowl-shaped; closed during day	Shallow; with landing platform; tubular	Large and bowl-shaped	Large; funnel-like; strong perch support	Narrow tube with spur; wide landing pad	Shallow; funnel-like or complex with trap	Regular; tubular without a lip	Regular and small

 Table Credit: www.pollinator.org/Resources/Pollinator_Syndromes.pdf

BEEFLORA

If you are a concerned individual who understands the importance of pollinators or if you have no idea about pollinators, you can still make a small contribution to their well-being. Knowing about bee flora can assist individuals in selecting appropriate flowering trees or plants that can be grown in the vicinity of your home, cities, and gardens to assist this pollinator in obtaining food sources such as nectars and pollen. Polleniferous or nectariferous bee flora provide pollen or nectar, respectively, and some flora provide both. This will not only benefit pollinators, but will also aid in the pollination of most of the food crops on which we rely.

 For those interested in apiculture, bee flora is an important aspect that will help the beekeeper understand the diversity of plants that the bee requires, and the keeper will have proper planning in maintaining the bee colonies. It can also help in pollinating the plant species where the bee is kept, which increase plant productivity, fruit and seed set. Bee flora can include flowering trees, shrubs, ornamental plants, vegetables, and even invasive species. The trees and flowers grown in recreational parks, cities and towns are known to help in pollinators well beings.

checkout facebook to know about some examples of bee flora.