Unusual Pollinators

When you think about pollinators the organisms that come to mind are bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. These are the pollinator poster children. In reality, many other organisms assist in pollination and seed dispersal. These unusual pollinators include other invertebrates such as flies, slugs, moths, and beetles. Even some of the less desirable insects such as mosquitoes, cockroaches and gnats can contribute to pollination. Bats and small vertebrates, such as lizards, geckos, skinks, lemurs, possums, mongooses, genets and rodents contribute to pollination in some areas. Many of these unusual and unsung pollinators face threats from habitat loss. So, be sure to keep these unsung heroes in mind when planning a pollinator friendly garden and remember that all organisms (even “pests”) play a role in the ecosystem.