Pollination in urban habitats requires a diversity of insects

Don’t just look at the bees

Honeybees, wild bees and bumble bees undertake the majority of pollination. However, the researchers found that other insects such as wasps, beetles and flies make a considerable contribution during the early season. This is particularly relevant because plants flowering early in May require pollination, including important crops such as strawberries, but also many wild plants. During this time, these rather inconspicuous species of insects are the most frequent visitors to flowers. “Many of these pollinators are also more robust than honeybees and fly even in poor conditions. Unfortunately, their contribution to the pollination of plants is completely underestimated,” explains researcher Dr. Julia Schmack.

In order to better understand the interaction between insects and selected crops and wild plants, the researchers observed their interactions. The insects showed different food preferences. For example, lavender was visited exclusively by bees, yarrow and daisies only by other insects. Other plants hosted a wider spectrum of pollinators. For example, honeybees and wild bees mainly pollinate oregano and marigold. In red clover and dandelion, the research team mainly observed ants and hover flies or ants and beetles. Ants and wild bees are the most common insects to be found in strawberries. For city residents, there is thus great potential for creating more biodiversity through their gardening. Dr. Julia Schmack is optimistic about the results: “By planting specific types of plants, we can design urban spaces in such a way that they have a positive effect on insects,” the researcher says.