Educational guides like this one aim to digest the diverse mix of science, practice, anecdotes, failures, and lessons learned into a useful resource. Bumble bees can’t see red.īlue, purple blooms are a big draw for bees.Įcological restoration is evolving on many fronts – in scientific studies, boardrooms, classrooms, and of course, in the field. Red, orange blooms more often draw hummingbirds and butterflies. “ Mud-puddling” butterflies congregate in areas of wet or moist soil in search of salt and other minerals. They pollinate tubular flowers with their long bill, and are mostly drawn to reds and hot pinks. Artificial light at night disturbs their life cycle. Moths are nighttime pollinators and they need night-blooming plants. Look for pencil sized holes surrounded by tiny mounds of dirt, typically found in areas of compressed soils. Most solitary bees are ground nesters, e.g.
Most native bees are solitary- they nest individually or in small groups.
Well-draining soils that are sandy or loamy are preferred. They need a few spots that are un-vegetated and un-mulched, even better if they are sunny and gently sloped. Spots of bare, undisturbed ground allow ground-nesting bees to make a home. In agricultural areas, no-till practices can dramatically limit soil disturbance. In landscaping areas, it is beneficial to leave some designated areas in an un-manicured state by leaving branches and leaves on the ground, and minimizing mowing. Undisturbed and untidy sites provide the best shelter. flat radials, cups, rounded domes, tubular trumpets, etc.) will appeal to an array of pollinators with differently shaped bodies. Flowers with a variety of different shapes (e.g. Even non-flowering plants, like sword fern, can be helpful in a pollinator restoration because they are hardy evergreens that create structure. Where appropriate, include both annual and perennial species, as well as both woody and herbaceous plants. Strive to establish multiple vertical layers (strata) of plant heights. branching trees, thicket-forming shrubs, creeping groundcovers, etc.) will support a variety of insect and animal species. Structural diversity of plants is a critical factor to forming rich, varied pollinator habitat. This guide is based on the ‘set the table’ concept that by actively restoring the physical structures and plant communities of an ecosystem, species diversity, network resilience, and network function can follow. It is geared towards planners, land managers, restoration practitioners, farmers, gardeners, orchardists, teachers, students, and homeowners. It serves as a set of best management practices (BMPs) for native pollinator habitat restoration in the Puget Sound region. EarthCorps set out to gather Puget Sound-specific data, anecdotes, and lessons learned over the years to create a how-to practitioner gui de. The Green Seattle Partnership has seen an uptick not only in native pollinator enthusiasm, but also on-the-ground projects to support their habitat. Pollinators are in serious decline due to habitat loss and fragmentation, pollution, pesticides, non-native species, and climate change. You can help to encourage bees and wasps to your garden by providing nectar-rich flower borders and fruit trees.In the Pacific Northwest, hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, moths, flies, wasps, and beetles are examples of native pollinators that feed on the sugary flower nectar and/or protein-rich pollen of flowering plants. But they are under threat from loss of habitat and the increasing use of pesticides and herbicides. Males are smaller than females and along with the red tail, have two yellow bands on the thorax and one at the base of the abdomen.īumblebees are very important as pollinators of plant species, including many food crops. The female red-tailed bumblebee is a large, black bumblebee with a red butt patch. Both the males and the old queen die in the autumn, but the new queens hibernate through the winter to emerge in the spring to start a new hive. Males emerge later and mate with new females who are prospective queens. As with other bees, the queen emerges from hibernation in spring and starts a hive by laying eggs that hatch into workers, these workers tend the young and hive. It can be found anywhere there are flowers to feed on. The red-tailed bumblebee is a very common bumblebee on Vancouver Island, emerging early in the spring and feeding on flowers right through to the fall. Red-Tailed Bumblebee, Vancouver Island, BC, Photo By Bud Logan
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