Bilpin, Blue Mountains: NSW Powerful pollinators Encouraging insect pollinators in farm landscapes

Pollinators are an essential component of agricultural production and of healthy, biodiverse landscapes. Protecting and enhancing pollinator resources on farms will help support a diverse range of pollinators. This brochure provides an introduction to encouraging insect pollinators on farms, including a guide to choosing plants that will support diverse pollinators throughout the year. The power of pollinators

Pollinators – mostly insects, but also birds and mammals – assist the formation of seeds and fruit in many plant species by visiting flowers in search of food (nectar and/or pollen). Whilst foraging they transfer pollen from one flower to another, facilitating fertilization, which results in fruits and seeds. Honey bees, native bees and other native insects like hoverflies, wasps and butterflies provide essential © Amy-Marie Gilpin pollination services for native plants, Native vegetation supports pollinators by providing food and nesting sites. Nearby crops and garden flowers, fruits and vegetables. pastures will benefit from the increased abundance and diversity of pollinators in the landscape.

Pollinators and food security Insect populations are in decline Backyard biodiversity Without insect pollinators, the quantity worldwide due to land clearing, Insect pollinators are a prime example and diversity of food and flowers intensive or monocultural of the importance of healthy ecosystems grown in backyard gardens would be agriculture, pesticide use, in urban gardens, parks and reserves. severely restricted. Many of the foods Insects are the ‘canaries in the coal mine’ we eat, from gardens and farms, pollution, colony disease, of our urban and rural environments. benefit from pollination. increased urbanisation and Without our ‘littlest creatures’, we lack Pollinator-dependent foods include climate change. Low pollinator pollinators, natural beneficial pest control services, and critical food source citrus, apples, stone-fruits, zucchini, numbers mean not all flowers pumpkins, strawberries and tomatoes, for other insects, birds, amphibians, as well as plants grown for seed such are pollinated, leading to low reptiles and mammals. as sunflowers, coriander and parsley. fruit or seed set. This in turn The presence of connected and The quantity and diversity of insect reduces fruit and vegetable widespread pollinator habitat is critical pollinators are key drivers of production harvest yields, and decreases to support insect populations if we as they influence both food yields and are to maintain sustainable cities and quality. Under-pollination results in food supply. productive, healthy gardens and urban smaller and misshapen fruit or seed farms for food security and biodiversity. that isn’t viable to grow. Pollinators require habitat that contains A diverse and healthy community of year-round food sources, breeding pollinators generally provides more resources and nesting sites. The presence effective and consistent pollination than relying on any single species. of pollinator habitat adjacent to food crops has been shown to improve Pollinators are essential to, and food production by enabling a greater dependent upon, healthy ecosystems. variety and number of pollinators A growing human population and to persist year-round, providing increasing demand for food puts pollination services when required. pressure on ecosystems, with potential © Sustainable Farms negative impacts on biodiversity, the Under-pollination results in smaller, Turn to the centre of this brochure for environment and food production. misshapen fruit such as this strawberry. a guide to planting for pollinators.

this period insect pollinators do not need pollen creating a ‘food desert’ where Diapause or diet? flowers. Birds and other small mammals insect pollinators cannot survive. will continue to benefit from available Where are the insects? There are still many unknowns about pollen and nectar during this time. insect pollinators in Australia. Take part Many insect pollinators undergo a If there are low numbers of insect in Australian Pollinator Week or in the diapause during colder winter months. pollinators in your local area, it is bi-annual Wild Pollinator Count to learn Diapause is a period of suspended important to determine whether this is more about pollinators in your area — development during unfavourable because of diapause, or because of an visit AustralianPollinatorWeek.org.au environmental conditions, and during inadequate availability of nectar and and WildPollinatorCount.com

1 Encouraging pollinators in your garden

Create pollination reservoirs Construct insect real estate Get to know your local flora Pollination reservoirs are areas that Insect hotels, which are both functional Your local government area has distinct provide floral resources for pollinators. and attractive, are a great way to populations of insects, depending They can be gardens, new planting add to habitat and nesting places for on the local flora and environment. or existing habitat such as established pollinators and insects in your backyard Knowing your local insect species will trees, or even local bushland, parks or garden. The hotels are easily moved help you develop better plantings. or reserves. A high diversity of plant to be close to flowering plants and The plants growing in nearby nature species is essential to provide nectar, those needing pollination, especially reserves or bushland will be suited pollen and nesting sites throughout if you have a new garden that is still to your climate and soils. Local the year. Pollination reservoirs need growing. Include lots of different environment groups and specialist to be close enough to where pollinators sized holes, cracks and crevices to native nurseries can provide live to ensure that they can fly easily provide homes for various solitary information about local plants. to them. insect pollinators. Improve on what you have Grow a bumper crop Plant for the future Enhance and improve your existing Pollinator-attracting plants include pollinator habitat where possible. When establishing pollinator habitat, many fruits and vegetables grown Gardens that already contain consider including species that are in backyards, community and market established trees, rockeries, ponds, indigenous to your area but can gardens, and orchards. Pollinators bare soil and organic matter, and tolerate increasingly drier and warmer ensure good yields of crops such as a variety of flowering plants, are conditions, to create resilient habitat apples, beans, avocado, and almonds, a valuable resource for beneficial for climate change. Rehabilitate and bush foods such as lilly-pilly and insects and pollinators. weedy areas into managed pollination yam daisy. reservoirs by introducing lots of Nature-strips, verges, laneways, flowering plant diversity. Be careful Reduce chemical use vegetable gardens, orchards, nature not to plant invasive or listed weeds, reserves, and riverbanks and creeks Insecticides, fungicides and herbicides and look for suitable replacements. can all be important pollinator-attracting all affect bee, colony and wild pollinator areas. Protect and enhance native health. Herbicides can impact pollinators pollinator plants in your garden and Amplify the flower signal by reducing the availability and diversity surrounds for the future. Plants have evolved large flowers or of flora and removing vegetation that clusters of smaller flowers because helps support insect life. Some herbicides Plant trees, shrubs and groundcovers can also harm the beneficial bacteria they attract more pollinator visits. in the insect gut. Insecticides are an Planting a variety of species of Large, colourful and diverse plantings obvious threat to pollinators, yet many groundcovers, shrubs and trees to attract more pollinators. Ideally, plant in pollinators will, in healthy numbers, help in your garden will further attract groups that contain different vegetation pollinators to your patch. Initial control pest insects, ultimately reducing layers — combine a species-rich mixture watering and protection will improve the need for insecticide use. of wildflowers, ground-covers, herbs, the success rate of young plants. lilies, rushes, climbers, shrubs and trees. Many crops are dependent on pollination Some species such as wildflowers by bees. When chemical pest control is or native pea species are excellent Connectivity counts unavoidable, select products that are pollinator attractors and reward least harmful for pollinators and apply careful attention by keen gardeners. Insect pollinators benefit from greater insecticides in the evening or at night connectivity of habitat in a landscape, when pollinators are not active. Be a citizen scientist and do some which allows them to forage over a Always use according to directions, detective work to discover local wider radius and increase in numbers especially for withholding periods, and pollinators in your patch. Visit in a local area. Encourage friends and notify beekeepers a few days before inaturalist.ala.org.au to be involved. neighbours to plant for pollinators and spraying chemicals so beehives can be create connections in your community. safely relocated away from harm.

Safeguard the bees? The best way to ‘save the bees’ and protect our pollinators is to create an abundance of diverse habitat — from the ground up! There is much interest in keeping a bee hive to promote pollinators, but there are serious legal and biosecurity responsibilities that must be considered, and that the introduction of a bee hive does not displace existing native pollinators and insects. Be a friend of pollinators and say it with flowers!

2 Flowering Pollinator reward Visitation by pollinator Lifeform Common name Scientific name Family Vegetation type Height Flower colour Aspect Soil moisture Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Pollen Nectar Native bees Honey bees Hoverflies Wasps Butterflies Moths Beetles Flies Bilpin Climber Purple Twining Pea Hardenbergia violacea Fabaceae Woodland, Forest > 3 m Mauve Sun Well drained ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ A guide to planting Climber Dusky Coral Pea Kennedia rubicunda Fabaceae Woodland, Forest > 3 m Red Part sun Well drained ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Forb Toothed Lobelia Lobelia dentata Lobeliaceae Woodland, Forest 0.4 m Blue Purple Semi-shade Well drained ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Well drained for pollinators Forb Leafy Purple Flag Patersonia glabrata Iridaceae Heath, Woodland 0.5 m Pale Violet Sun to semi-shade ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ to moist Yellow Paper Daisy / Forb Xerochrysum bracteatum Asteraceae Forests 0.2–0.7 m Yellow Sun Well drained ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ for Bilpin, Blue Golden Everlasting Blue-violet, Moist well Herb Blueberry Lily / Blue Flax Lily Dianella revoluta var. revoluta Liliaceae Forest, Woodland 0.7 m Semi-shade ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Mountains Stamens Yellow drained Wet, intermittently Herb Vanilla Plant / Rush Lily Sowerbaea juncea Asparagaceae Heath 0.45 m Purple, Yellow Sun to semi-shade ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ waterlogged Shrub / Small Blue Dampiera Dampiera stricta Goodeniaceae Open forest, Heath 0.5 m Blue, Purple Sun to semi-shade Well drained ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Well drained Shrub / Small Rough Guinea Flower Hibbertia aspera Dilleniaceae Forest, Woodland, Heath 0.6 m Yellow Sun to semi-shade ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ to moist Shrub / Small Trailing Guinea Glower Hibbertia empetrifolia Dilleniaceae Open forest, Heath 0.4 m Yellow Sun Well drained ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Shrub / Medium Prickly Moses Acacia ulicifolia Fabaceae Open forest, Woodland 2 m Yellow Sun Well drained ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Yellow, Hooks Dark Shrub / Medium Hairpin Banksia Banksia spinulosa Proteaceae Woodland 2 m Sun Well drained ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Healthy populations of insect The pollinator plant list Red/black pollinators are important To create pollinator-attracting plantings, Shrub / Medium Dogwood / Dollybush Cassinia aculeata Asteraceae Forest, Woodland, Heath 2 m White Sun to semi-shade Moist well drained ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Shrub / Medium Parrot Pea (eggs & bacon) Dillwynia elegans Fabaceae Woodland, Dry heath 1.5 m Yellow & Red Sun Well drained ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ for sustainable and resilient use the Guide to choose a selection of Shrub / Medium Wallum Heath Epacris pulchella Ericaceae Woodland, Heath 1 m White to Pink Semi-shade Moist well drained ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ farms, orchards, gardens, plants with a variety of flower colours, Shrub / Medium Broad-leaf Wedge Pea Gompholobium latifolium Fabaceae Woodland, Forest 2 m Yellow Sun Well drained ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ different growth habits and a range of and native flora. Shrub / Medium Hop Goodenia Goodenia ovata Goodeniaceae Forest 1 m Yellow Sun to semi-shade Well drained ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ flowering seasons. This Guide will help you select plant Shrub / Medium Silky Grevillea Grevillea sericea Proteaceae Woodland, Forest 2 m Pink Sun Well drained ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ species to attract and sustain pollinators For each species, the planting Guide lists: Shrub / Medium Grey Spider Flower Grevillea sphacelata Proteaceae Woodland, Forest 2 m Light Pink Sun Well drained ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Well drained Shrub / Medium Native Indigo Indigofera australis Fabaceae Woodland 1.5 m Mauve Semi-shade ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ in agricultural areas and gardens ⬤ life-form/‘habit’ (climber, herb, to moist throughout the year. shrub or tree) and height (m). White Beard / Lance-leaf Well drained Shrub / Medium Leucopogon lanceolatus Ericaceae Forest, Rainforest margins 2 m White Semi-shade ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Beard Heath to moist The Bilpin region, in the Blue Mountains ⬤ the vegetation type in which they Shrub / Medium Narrow-leaved Geebung Persoonia linearis Proteaceae Forest, Woodland 2 m Yellow Sun to semi-shade Well drained ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ bioregion of New South Wales, is defined naturally occur Well drained Shrub / Medium Slender Rice Flower Pimelea linifolia subsp. linoidea Thymelaeaceae Forest 2 m White Sun to semi-shade ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ by sedimentary soils and sandstone ⬤ flower colour and flowering season to moist plateaux, and undulating topography, Shrub / Medium Rough Bush Pea Pultenaea scabra Fabaceae Open forest 1 m Yellow & Red Sun Well drained ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ growth requirements (sun/shade, Pill Flower / Ball Everlasting / Moist well punctuated by rocky gorges and outcrops. Shrub / Medium Ozothamnus diosmifolius Asteraceae Open forest 2 m White Sun to semi-shade ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ moist/dry) White Dogwood drained Climate is cool to cold (occasional frosts Shrub / Large Sydney Golden Wattle Acacia longifolia Fabaceae Open forest 2–5 m Yellow Sun Well drained ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ and snowfall at altitude) in winter, ⬤ insect groups that may visit each Shrub / Large Flax Wattle Acacia linifolia Fabaceae Open forest 2–4 m Yellow Sun Well drained ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ with mild to warm summers. Vegetation plant and the floral reward (pollen and/or nectar). Shrub / Large Graceful Bush Pea Pultenaea flexilis Fabaceae Open forest 3 m Yellow Sun Well drained ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ communities include open woodlands Parramatta Wattle / Tree / Small Acacia parramattensis Fabaceae Open forest , Woodland 1.2 m Yellow Sun Well drained ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ and heathland, as well as escarpment The coloured bars indicate the flowering Sydney Green Wattle and riparian (streamside) communities, months for each species. Darker shading Tree / Small Sweet Pittosporum Pittosporum undulatum Pittosporaceae Shaded forest, Rainforest 1.5 m Creamy White Sun to semi-shade Moist well drained ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ open forest and rainforest. denotes the peak flowering period, Tree / Medium Turpentine Syncarpia glomulifera Myrtaceae Forest, Rainforest 15 m Cream Sun to semi-shade Moist well drained ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Tree / Large Yellow Bloodwood Corymbia eximia Myrtaceae Sandstone woodlands 20 m Yellow, Cream Sun to semi-shade Well drained ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ with a lighter shading for non-peak The plants listed in this Guide will help Tree / Large Blue Mountains Ash Eucalyptus oreades Myrtaceae Woodland 40 m White, Cream Sun to semi-shade Well drained ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ flowering months. Flowering dates may supply rewards to pollinators, with an Tree / Large Brown Stringybark Eucalyptus blaxlandii Myrtaceae Forest 30 m White, Cream Sun to semi-shade Well drained ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ emphasis on species that are indigenous differ between regions and seasons, Broader Blue Mountains and suited to local climates. particularly for non-peak times, if your Herb Flannel Flower Actinotus helianthi Apiaceae Forest, Heath 0.5–1.5 m White, Cream Sun to semi-shade Well drained ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ local climate is consistently warmer Shrub / Prostrate Laurel Leaf Grevillia Grevillea laurifolia Proteaceae Open forest, Woodland 0.3 m Red Sun Well drained ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Garden centres sell many common or cooler than average, with earlier or Shrub / Small Heathy Mirbelia Mirbelia rubiifolia Fabaceae Heath, Open woodland 0.5 m Pink-lilac Semi-shade Moist well drained ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ pollinator-attracting ornamental flowers later flowering. Shrub / Medium Pale Pink Boronia Boronia floribunda Rutaceae Open forest, Heath 1 m Pale Pink Sun Well drained ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ and herbs labelled as ‘bee-friendly’. Shrub / Medium Sydney Boronia / Ledum Boronia Boronia ledifolia Rutaceae Open forest, Woodland, Heath 0.3–1 m Pink Sun Well drained ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ The eucalypt species in this Guide are Sourcing plants Shrub / Medium Variable Bossiaea Bossiaea heterophylla Fabaceae Open forest, Woodland 1 m Yellow & Red Sun to semi-shade Well drained ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Well drained Shrub / Medium Hop Bitter Pea Daviesia latifolia Fabaceae Open forest 2 m Yellow & Red Sun to semi-shade ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ mostly large trees, and not suitable for all Most of the plant species listed are to moist gardens, but have been included for their available from retail or wholesale Shrub / Medium Gorse Bitter Pea Daviesia ulicifolia Fabaceae Open forest 1 m Yellow & Red Sun to semi-shade Well drained ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ value as good nectar producing species. nurseries or native plant growers, and Shrub / Medium Sandstone Parrot Pea Dillwynia brunioides Fabaceae Heath, Forest 1 m Yellow & Red Sun Well drained ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Most eucalypts do not flower every year, local environment groups. If you can’t Shrub / Medium Mountain Devil / Honey Flower Lambertia formosa Proteaceae Open forest, Heath, Scrub 2 m Red Sun Well drained ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ so choosing diverse species will help source these plants at your local garden Shrub / Medium Large-fruited Tea Tree Leptospermum macrocarpum Myrtaceae Forest, Heath 1–2 m Pink, Red, Lemon-yellow Sun to shade Well drained ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ create continuously flowering habitat. centre, or indigenous nursery, ask them Shrub / Medium Hillock Bush Melaleuca hypericifolia Myrtaceae Woodland, Heath 2–4 m Orange, Red Sun to semi-shade Well drained ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Shrub / Large Heath Banksia Banksia ericifolia Proteaceae Scrub, Heath 6 m Red-orange Sun to semi-shade Well drained ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ to contact the local wholesale nursery Shrub / Large Crimson Bottlebrush Callistemon citrinus Proteaceae Swamp 1–2 m Red Sun Well drained ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ suppliers and plant growers listed online. Well darined Shrub / Large Dagger Hakea Hakea teretifolia Proteaceae Heath, Woodland 3 m White Sun ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ See the reverse of the Guide for details. to moist Shrub / Large Tick Bush Kunzea ambigua Myrtaceae Heath, Woodland, Open forest 3 m White Sun to semi-shade Well drained ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Shrub / Large Pink Tea Tree Leptospermum squarrosum Myrtaceae Woodland, Shrubland, Heath 3–4 m White to Pink Sun Well drained ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Shrub / Large Pine-Leaf Geebung Persoonia pinifolia Proteaceae Forest 4 m Yellow Sun to semi-shade Well drained ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Tree / Large Sydney Peppermint Eucalyptus piperita subsp. piperita Myrtaceae Woodland 25 m White, Cream Sun to semi-shade Well drained ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Tree / Large Narrow Leaf Peppermint Eucalyptus radiata Myrtaceae Woodland 30 m White, Cream Sun to semi-shade Well drained ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ WheenBeeFoundation.org.au Tree / Large Blue Mountains Mallee Ash Eucalyptus stricta Myrtaceae Woodland 50 m White Sun to semi-shade Well drained ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤

3 Know your pollinators Flower forms

European honey bees have two pairs of wings and long, segmented antennae. They are daytime-flying and feed on nectar and pollen. They are generalist pollinators and provide the bulk of pollination services for horticulture and crop plants. Honey bees and native bees are both essential to functioning ecosystems and food security in Australia. Honey bees have become an important part of the Australian landscape. Honey bees live as colonies, and have a long history © Meredith Cosgrove of coexistence with humans, including in domestic gardens. Generalist flowers can be European honey bee pollinated by many different insects (Apis mellifera) © iStock and animals. They are typically saucer shaped with many stamens and have a surface that insects can Australian native bees comprise more than 2000 species, walk on. Eucalyptus flowers and which provide essential pollination services. Native bees are generally daisy flowers are generalist flowers solitary and live in nests in the ground or in hollow stems, old borer — they can be pollinated by bees, holes and other cracks and crevices, and some have evolved flies, beetles and butterflies. to pollinate particular native flowers through ‘buzz pollination’. Although many Australian native bees are generalist foragers, some species have co-evolved with native plants and adapted to be the most effective pollinators of their flowers. Many native plant species, such as Dianella and Grevillea require specially adapted insects to access their nectar and enable the transfer of pollen to the stigma. Most native bees are solitary, but some species found in northern Leafcutter bee Australia (Tetragonula sp. and Austroplebeia sp.) are social bees and (Megachile maculariformis) © Karen Retra are used for commercial pollination of crops like macadamia nuts.

© Meredith Cosgrove Fly species number up to 30,000 in Australia, and can be identified by having only one pair of flight wings. A second set of wings Specialist flowers have are modified into club-shaped paddles that allow flies to hover modifications to their shape and and stabilise their flight. Unlike bees and wasps, they have very size that only let certain pollinators small, clubbed antennae at the front of their head. Flies, including access the nectar and pollen. blowflies, are often attracted to flowers that smell like carrion; they generally have hairy bodies that easily collect pollen while These flowers might have deep Bee fly they are feeding. Flies provide a range of services in the garden, flower tubes or narrow entry (Family Bombyliidae) © Karen Retra including pollination, decomposition and predation. points so that only a select group of pollinators can access them. The advantage of specialisation Hoverflies are a type of fly, distinguishable by their large eyes, is that pollination is very targeted short antennae, bright black and yellow abdomen and their and efficient, with accurate pollen hovering flight behaviour. Adult hoverflies are nectar and pollen placement made possible by feeders. Hoverfly larvae feed on pests such as aphids, thrips and co-evolution between flowers and leafhoppers and are useful biocontrol agents. insects. The disadvantage is that if the correct pollinator isn’t there, Hoverfly the flowers aren’t pollinated. Often, (Family Syrphidae) © Karen Retra nectar is produced at the base of the flower, forcing pollinators to enter the flower fully and in the Beetles have hard outer wings that form their distinctive beetle process, become covered in pollen. shape. Their outer wings form a T-shape where they join at the top, unlike bugs where the outer wings make an X- or Y-shape. Beetles feed on nectar and pollen, usually by crawling over flower surfaces. There are around 30,000 species of beetles in Australia, with many yet to be formally described. Pollinator Horned beetle (Rhipicera femorata) © J. Hort rewards

Nectar is a sugary solution, rich Butterflies have wings covered in tiny scales. They have clubbed in carbohydrates, vitamins and antennae and hold their wings upright when at rest. They are minerals, produced by flowers and day-flying and have long tongues that they can use to feed on sometimes by glands on leaves or nectar in flowers with deep tubes. Butterflies are usually brightly stems (called extra-floral nectaries). coloured, with approximately 600 species found in Australia. Nectar is attractive to insects, and provides an immediate energy source needed for tasks such as Meadow argus (Junonia villida) © J. Hort hunting pest insects, laying eggs in decomposing organic matter, collecting pollen, or parasitising Moths also have wings covered in tiny scales and tend to be other insects. subtle in colour. They have antennae without clubs and hold their Carbohydrates alone don’t support wings flat when at rest. They are generally dusk- and night-flying everything needed for health and but there are some exceptions: the grapevine moth is a commonly growth, so insects also need pollen. seen day-flying moth. Moths feed on nectar. Australia has a high diversity of moth species, with up to 22,000 species thought to exist Pollen is rich in protein, fats and across the continent. nutrients. Bees are vegetarian, Beautiful leaf moth and need to collect pollen to feed (Gastrophora henricaria) © Karen Retra their offspring.

4 Buzz pollination use that skill to buzz pollen from the Wholesale Nurseries anthers of native plants. Most of the plants shown in the Some flowers do not produce any Planting buzz-pollinated species planting guide will be available at nectar; they specifically target pollen- will encourage populations of buzz nurseries that have a good stock of collecting bees, and only offer pollen pollinators for successful pollination of native plants. But if your local nursery rewards. To limit pollen loss and ensure food crops and ensure seed set in native doesn’t stock the plant you’re after, effective pollination, some plants plants. Many small ground nesting bees ask them to order it in. For a list of produce flowers with specialised, also buzz pollinate native flowers. wholesale nurseries tubular anthers, that only open at the that stock all the tip. To extract pollen, bees use vibrations plants shown in the to ‘buzz’ the pollen grains out of the Nectar feeding planting guide, plus pores of these anthers. Many crops are Grevillea flowers and other tubular other useful resources, buzz pollinated, including tomatoes, flowers are often adapted to be visit the Wheen Bee potatoes, eggplants, capsicum, chillies, successfully pollinated by birds. Pollen Foundation website tomatillo and cranberries. is ‘presented’ on a floral stigma that or scan the QR code. European honey bees are unable to extends outside the flower. When birds WheenBeeFoundation.org.au/our-work/powerful-pollinators buzz pollinate flowers, but several feed on the nectar, pollen is deposited native bees, such as the blue-banded on their beaks or heads. Bees, also bee, and teddy bear bee (Amegilla sp.) attracted to the sugary nectar, crawl and carpenter bee (Xylocopa sp.) are into the side of the flower and feed on Wheen Bee Foundation exceptionally good large buzz pollinators, the nectar without encountering the and have evolved to pollinate native pollen-laden stigma. The plant doesn’t Powerful Pollinators Planting Guides are plants such as flax lilies (Dianella sp.). receive the pollination benefit from produced by Wheen Bee Foundation. Many of our smaller, ground nesting the insect, but flowers such Grevillea We fund vital strategic research and bees utilise vibration to help them species can be a very useful source of education initiatives that strengthen excavate their burrows, and they also nectar for insects in the cooler months. bees, improve pollination efficiency, and protect our food security and ecosystem health. Visit the website for more information. WheenBeeFoundation.org.au

Far left: The spreading flax lily, Dianella revoluta, is buzz pollinated.

Left: This European honey bee is ‘side-working’: feeding on the nectar-rich flowers without coming into contact with the plant’s pollen.

Front cover: 1. Australian native bee, Tetragonula carbonaria foraging on apple blossom (Malus domestica). (Photo: Lisa Vella) 2. View from Govetts Leap, Blackheath, looking into the Grose Valley. (Photo: Amy-Marie Gilpin) 3. European honey bees, © Meredith Cosgrove © Meredith Cosgrove Apis mellifera. (Photo: Kirrily Hughes)

Supported by:

westernsydney.edu.au horticulture.com.au aldentetastesgood.com.au

PP-Vic8.1 (2021) Wheen Bee Foundation 2020. Compiled and written by Amy-Marie Gilpin, Sally Power and James Cook from Western Sydney University, with support from the Hort Innovation Pollination Fund. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/