Many pollinators around the world and in Maryland are in decline. Pollinators come in all shapes and sizes. Pollination occurs when animals, water, or wind carry pollen from flower to flower or within flowers. Animal pollinators are responsible for pollinating over 80% of the world’s flowering plants.

Gardening for Pollinators Summer 2020.

To View in Full Screen, Please Select the YouTUBE option.

Meet The Pollinators

In Maryland, the most important group of pollinators are bees. Over 400 species of bees can be found in the State as well as over 150 butterfly species. In addition to bees and butterflies, other Maryland pollinators include ants, beetles, flies, moths, wasps, and the ruby-throated hummingbird.

​Bees	​Butterflies	​Ruby-throated Hummingbird
​	​	​

Help Pollinators in Decline

Pollinators need your help! One of the main reasons for pollinator decline is the loss of habitat. Planting native species, providing nesting sites, and avoiding or limiting pesticide use can help increase pollinator diversity and abundance. The Maryland Wild Acres program focuses on backyard habitat practices that can help a variety of wildlife, including pollinators. Here are a few helpful resources for creating pollinator habitat:

• Attracting Pollinators to Your Garden (USFWS)
• Bad Plants Planted by Good People
• Bee Friendly Backyards
• Creating Habitat for Hummingbirds, Butterflies, and Bees
• Creating a Wildflower Meadow
• Monarch Butterfly
• Spring 2015 Habichat: Pollinator Issue

 

Monarch butterfly by Greg Thompson, USFWS

The Baltimore Checkerspot

The Baltimore checkerspot is Maryland’s State Insect. Unfortunately, like many pollinators, the Baltimore checkerspot is declining in Maryland. While the exact reasons for this decline are not completely understood, they certainly include habitat loss and degradation, deer browse of the caterpillar host plant (white turtlehead), and succession of open wetlands to forest or dense shrublands. Help Maryland’s State Insect by supporting or volunteering with the Wildlife and Heritage Service​.

 

Baltimore Checkerspots by Scott Smith (Left) and Pat Durkin (right)

Pollinator Community Science Projects

Individuals can also help pollinators by contributing data to local and regional community science projects. These projects help scientists learn more about pollinators and benefit their conservation. Below is a list of some projects that assist pollinators:

• Bumble Bee Watch
• The Great Sunflower Project
• Monarch Larva Monitoring Project
• Monarch Watch

Pollinator Education Resources

One excellent way to help pollinators is to educate others about their importance. Below are some resources for pollinator education:

• Baltimore Checkerspot Coloring Page
• Bee Observer Cards
• Great Monarch Migration Activity
• Label the Parts of a Bee and a Butterfly
• Flower Dissection Sheet
• Pollinator Activity Packet
• Pollinators Meet Your Plants Activity
• Pollinator Partnership Education Resources

Pollinator planting by Howard Co Library System, Flickr Creative Commons

Additional Resource

For more information about pollinators, then please visit the following sites:

• Pollinator Partnership
• US Forest Service- Pollinators
• ​ US Fish and Wildlife Service- Pollinators
• USGS Native Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab
• WILD at Schools
• Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation

For more information, please contact:

Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife and Heritage Service
Tawes State Office Building, E-1
Annapolis MD 21401​
410-260-8540

Toll-free in Maryland: 1-877-620-8DNR
customerservice.dnr@maryland.gov

Acknowledgements:

• Bee & Butterfly photos by USGS Bee Lab
• Hummingbird by Hart_Curt, Flickr Creative Commons