Pollinators in the Ohio Valley and Central Midwest
What are Pollinators?
Pollinators are insects, birds, and animals that help plants reproduce by carrying pollen from one flower to another. Some of the most common pollinators in the Ohio Valley and Central Midwest include bees, butterflies, moths, and hummingbirds.
Why are Pollinators Important?
Pollinators play a vital role in our ecosystem. They help to produce fruits, vegetables, and flowers that we rely on for food and beauty. In fact, it is estimated that one out of every three bites of food we eat is the result of pollination.
Native Pollinators
While European honeybees are often the first pollinators that come to mind, there are hundreds of species of native pollinators that are just as important. These native pollinators are adapted to the specific plants in our region and are more effective at pollinating them than honeybees.
Some common native pollinators in the Ohio Valley and Central Midwest include:
- Bumble bees
- Carpenter bees
- Leaf cutter bees
- Masked bees
- Mining bees
- Mason bees
- Polyester bees
- Squash bees
Threats to Pollinators
Unfortunately, many native pollinator populations are declining due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change. Creating a pollinator garden is one way to help protect these valuable insects.
How to Create a Pollinator Garden
Creating a pollinator garden is not difficult. Here are a few tips to get you started:
- Plant a diverse group of native plants that bloom throughout the year. This will provide food for pollinators at all stages of their life cycle.
- Leave hollow stemmed plants intact over the winter. These plants provide shelter for nesting bees.
- Limit the use of weed barriers. Weed barriers can prevent ground nesting bees from accessing the soil.
- Refrain from being too tidy. Not mowing every bit of the yard or leaving a few logs, a brush pile, or stump provides resting spots and shelter to pollinators.
- Use a bird bath, fountain, or shallow bowl to give pollinators access to water.
- Avoid using pesticides and herbicides. These chemicals can indiscriminately kill pollinators or plants that are necessary for their survival.
Midwest Pollinator Plants
When choosing plants for your pollinator garden, consider these Midwest native pollinator plants:
Spring Blooming
- Cream Wild Indigo
- Culver’s Root
- Foxglove Beardtongue
- New Jersey Tea
- Smooth Spiderwort
- Wild Geranium
- Wild Lupine
Summer Blooming
- Black-eyed Susan
- Butterfly Weed
- Field Thistle
- Prairie Blazing Star
- Purple Coneflower
- Swamp Milkweed
- Yellow Giant Hyssop
Fall Blooming
- Joe Pye Weed
- Little Bluestem
- Maximilian Sunflower
- New England Aster
- Showy Goldenrod
- Tall Ironweed
- Wingstem
By following these tips, you can create a beautiful pollinator garden that will attract a variety of native pollinators and help to protect these important insects.