When we talk about pollinator gardens, what are we actually talking about. Who are the pollinators in our great state? Here's a list of some of WI's most important pollinators:
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Bees: Wisconsin is home to a diverse array of bee species, including bumblebees, mason bees, leafcutter bees, and honeybees.
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Butterflies: Common butterfly species in Wisconsin include the monarch, painted lady, and black swallowtail. All of these are beautiful, useful, and in need of habitat.
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Moths: Many species of moths, including the luna moth and polyphemus moth, are important pollinators.
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Beetles: Some species of beetles, such as the flower beetle and the soldier beetle. Don't always think of beetles, when I think of pollinators, but here they are.
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Wasps: Wasps, including the yellowjacket and the paper wasp, are important pollinators in Wisconsin, especially in the late summer and fall when many other pollinators have decreased in numbers.
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Flies: Flies, including hoverflies, bee flies, and flesh flies, are also important pollinators in Wisconsin. So we don't love flies, but these pollinating flies are just as important, even if they are not so beautiful as monarch butterflies.
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Hummingbirds: Hummingbirds, such as the ruby-throated hummingbird, are pollinators in Wisconsin, especially for native wildflowers and tubular-shaped flowers.
These are just a few examples of the many pollinators found in Wisconsin. It is important to support and protect these species as they play a critical role in maintaining the health of ecosystems and food production. If everyone planted a wildflower planting in their yard, it would create a patchwork of habitat that would increase where these beneficial created could live, reproduce and pollinate.