Native plants support more insect pollinator species than expected

Abstract

Many non-bee and bee pollinators visit both native plants and exotic crop flowers to feed on or to collect pollen and nectar resources. Many of these are verified or probable crop pollinators based on their ability (or likelihood) to deposit pollen on stigmas. Native plantings on farmland can support these insects at times when crops are not flowering. However, there have been few studies of native plant – pollinator interactions in New Zealand. Our observations of 19 native plant species demonstrate they support many more crop pollinators than previously reported. This knowledge will help refine the design of semi-natural habitat to support targeted crop pollinators on farms.