Western District: Victoria 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 that will support diverse pollinators throughout the year. The power of pollinators

Different animals — mostly insects, but also birds and mammals — help to transfer pollen between flowering plants, allowing the formation of seeds and fruit. Pollinators do this by visiting flowers in search of food (nectar, pollen or both) and transferring pollen from one flower to another in the process. In Australia, honey bees, native bees and other native insects like hoverflies, wasps and butterflies provide essential © Boobook48 pollination services for native plants, Native vegetation supports pollinators by providing food and nesting sites. Nearby crops and pastures, crops, 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 Healthy ecosystems Without insect pollinators, the quantity worldwide due to land clearing, Pollinators are both essential to, and and diversity of food grown for humans intensive or monocultural depend upon, healthy ecosystems. in contemporary agricultural systems A growing human population and agriculture, pesticide use, would be severely restricted. Many increasing demand for food puts of the food crops we eat, as well as environmental pollution, colony pressure on ecosystems, while declining pasture and fodder crops, benefit from disease and climate change. ecosystem function will in turn pollination by insects. negatively impact food production. Low pollinator numbers mean Pollinator-dependent crops include not all flowers are pollinated, Insect pollinators are a prime example almonds, apples, blueberries and of this — without healthy ecosystems vegetables, as well as many crops leading to low fruit or seed set. and the presence of patches of grown for seed production , such as This in turn reduces crop and native vegetation to support insect canola. The quantity and diversity of pasture yields, farm profits populations, pollination will decline. insect pollinators are key drivers of This will threaten both crop productivity production as they influence both crop and ultimately food supply. and the persistence of native, yields and quality. Under-pollination pollinator-dependent flowering plants. results in smaller and misshapen fruit Pollinators require habitat — such as that is commercially unsaleable. diverse, native vegetation — that contains Grazing enterprises can also suffer year-round food sources and nesting from a reduction in the abundance or sites. The presence of pollinator habitat diversity of pollinators, due to the role close to food crops has been shown these insects play in the persistence to improve food production in adjacent of nitrogen-fixing pasture legumes crops by enabling a greater variety such as clover. and number of pollinators to persist year-round, providing pollination A diverse and healthy community of services to crops when required. pollinators generally provides more © Sustainable Farms effective and stable pollination than Under-pollination results in smaller, Turn to the centre of this brochure for relying on any single species. 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 will insect pollinators cannot survive. however 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 the landscape, 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 Encouraging pollinators on your property

Create pollination reservoirs according to habitat Get to know your local bush Pollination reservoirs are areas of type and prepare for change Each farm and region will have distinct native plant species that provide floral When establishing pollinator habitat, populations of insects, based on the resources for pollinators. They can consider including species that are plants and climate. Identifying and be new plantings or existing habitat, indigenous to your area but can understanding the insects in your area such as shelterbelts or remnant tolerate increasingly drier and warmer will help you develop better plantings. vegetation. A high diversity of plant conditions, to create resilient habitat The plants growing in nearby bush will species is essential to provide nectar, for the future under climate change. be well suited to the climate and soils in your region. Local community groups pollen and nesting sites throughout Rehabilitate weedy areas into managed and specialist native nurseries can the year. Pollination reservoirs need pollination reservoirs by introducing provide useful information and usually to be close enough to crops to ensure higher native plant diversity. Be careful produce local plant species. that pollinators can fly easily to them. not to plant invasive or listed weeds. Use existing habitat Double the crop value Protect and improve existing habitat Amplify the flower signal Plants that are pollinator-attracting where possible. Roadsides, shelterbelts, Plants have evolved large flowers or are sometimes crop species in their dam margins, woodlands, grasslands, clusters of smaller flowers because own right and can be used to diversify rocky areas and river and creek edges they attract more pollinator visits. farm production. Bush foods such as can all be important pollinator-attracting Large, colourful and diverse plantings desert limes, bush tomato, yam daisy areas, bringing valuable pollination attract more pollinators. Ideally, plant in and many more are in high demand services to your farm. groups that use all the vegetation layers for use in fresh and manufactured possible — combine a species-rich Grasslands, woodlands and forests, as products. Native plant seed is needed mixture of forbs, ground covers, shrubs well as shrubland and wetland areas, for revegetation projects. and trees. provide a diverse range of habitat for Supporting beekeepers by hosting pollinators. If you have areas of native Utilise ecotones beehives is an opportunity to increase vegetation on your property, protect pollinator numbers on the farm. and enhance the areas where they grow. Ecotones are the margins between two different habitats. Ecotones often Plant new trees, shrubs and Reduce chemical use contain a more diverse mixture of groundcovers where possible species because they are used by Use a combination of direct seed sowing species from both habitats. Protect Insecticides (especially neonicotinoids), and planting tube stock to establish and utilise ecotones such as the fungicides and herbicides all affect new vegetation. Initial watering and bee, colony and wild pollinator health. transition zones between woodland protection from grazing will improve Herbicides can impact pollinators by and grassland, or shrubland and the success rate of young plants. Forbs reducing the availability and diversity wetland, to create highly diverse floral and native pea species are excellent of flora and removing vegetation that and insect communities. pollinator attractors but more difficult helps support insect life. Some herbicides to establish. can also harm the beneficial bacteria in the insect gut. Insecticides are an obvious threat to pollinators, yet many pollinators will, in healthy numbers, help control pest insects, ultimately reducing the need for insecticide use. Plant a variety of flowering species to Many crops are dependent on pollination encourage pollinators by bees. When chemical pest control year round Proximity of native is unavoidable, it is preferable to use vegetation to non-systemic insecticides and apply crops will increase insecticides in the evening or at night pollination and crop yield when pollinators are not active. Always use according to directions, especially for withholding periods, and Host notify beekeepers a few days before beehives to increase spraying chemicals so beehives can be pollinator safely relocated away from harm. numbers

Protect existing habitat by fencing out livestock 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 Crop plants Forb Clover Trifolium repens Pasture / fodder 0.3 m White Sun ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Herb Onion Allium cepa Alliaceae Horticulture 1 m White Sun ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ A guide to planting Herb Canola Brassica napus Brassicaceae Broadacre cropping 1.5 m Yellow Sun ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Herb Buckwheat Fagopyrum esculentum Polygonaceae Broadacre cropping 2 m White Sun ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ for pollinators for Herb Sunflower Helianthus annuus Asteraceae Broadacre cropping 2 m Yellow Sun ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Herb Flaxseed Linum usitatissimum Linaceae Broadacre cropping 1 m Blue Sun ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ the Western District, Herb Lucerne Medicago sativa Fabaceae Broadacre cropping 0.75 m Purple Sun ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Herb Faba beans Vicia faba Fabaceae Broadacre cropping 1 m White & Brown Sun ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Shrub to Small Tree Tree Lucerne Tagasaste palmensis Fabaceae Fodder / shelter 5 m Cream Sun to semi-shade ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Victoria Tree Sugar Gum cladocalyx Myrtaceae Plantation / forestry < 30 m White Sun ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Tree Blue Gum Eucalyptus globulus Myrtaceae Plantation / forestry 15–50 m White Sun to semi-shade ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Tree Radiata Pine Pinus radiata Pinaceae Plantation / forestry 15–30 m Pale Yellow Sun to semi-shade ⬤ ⬤ Native plants Climber Purple Coral-Pea Hardenbergia violacea Fabaceae Woodland, Heathland, Forest < 2 m Purple Sun Moist to dry ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Climber Mountain Clematis Clematis aristata Ranunculaceae Woodland, Shrubland 2–4 m Cream Sun to semi-shade Moist to dry ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Climber Small-leafed Clematis Clematis microphylla Ranunculaceae Woodland, Shrubland 2–4 m Cream Sun to semi-shade Moist to dry ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Forb Chocolate Lily Arthropodium strictum Asparagaceae Grassland, Herbfield, Woodland 0.3 m Pink-mauve Sun Moist to dry ⬤* ⬤ ⬤ Forb Black Anther Flax Lily Dianella revoluta Asphodelaceae Woodland, Heathland 1 m Indigo Sun to semi-shade Moist to dry ⬤* ⬤ Healthy populations of For each species, the planting guide lists: Forb Tasman Flax Lily Dianella tasmanica Asphodelaceae Woodland, Forest 1 m Indigo Sun to semi-shade Moist to dry ⬤* ⬤ Forb Common Everlasting Chrysocephalum apiculatum Asteraceae Grassland, Woodland, Heathland 0.3 m Yellow Sun Moist to dry ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ insect pollinators are ⬤ plant growth habit (forb, shrub or tree) Forb Yam Daisy, Murnong Microseris lanceolata Asteraceae Grassland, Herbfield, Woodland 0.3 m Yellow Sun to semi-shade Moist to dry ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ important for crop yields, and height Forb Tall Bluebell Wahlenbergia stricta Campanulaceae Grassland, Herbfield, Woodland 0.3 m Blue Sun Moist to dry ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Forb Native Bindweed Convolvulus angustissimus Convolvulaceae Grassland, Herbfield, Woodland 0.2 m Pink Sun to semi-shade Moist to dry ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ the habitat in which they naturally occur orchard production and Forb Native Pelargonium Pelargonium australe Geraniaceae Grassland, Herbfield, Woodland, Shrubland 0.5 m Pink-mauve Sun Moist to dry ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ thriving native vegetation. ⬤ flower colour and flowering season Forb Blue Pincushion Brunonia australis Goodeniaceae Grassland, Herbfield, Woodland 0.3 m Blue Sun Dry ⬤ ⬤ Forb Bulbine Lily Bulbine bulbosa Goodeniaceae Grassland 0.3 m Yellow Sun to semi-shade Moist to dry ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ the plant’s growth requirements This planting guide will help you Forb Sheep's Burr; Bidgee Widgee Acaena novae-zelandiae Rosaceae Grassland, Woodland 0.3 m Cream Sun to semi-shade Moist to dry ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ (sun or shade, moist or dry) Forb Grass Trigger Plant Stylidium graminifolium Stylidiaceae Grassland, Herbfield, Woodland, Forest 0.3 m Pink Sun to part shade Moist to dry ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ choose plant species to attract and Sedge Spiny-headed Mat Rush Lomandra longifolia Asparagaceae Woodland, Heathland, Wetland 100 cm White-cream Sun to semi-shade Moist to dry ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ the insect groups that use each plant keep pollinators on your property Sedge Tall Sedge Carex appressa Cyperaceae Woodland, Wetland 1–2 m Yellow-brown Sun Moist to wet ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ throughout the year. and the type of reward the pollinator Sedge Saw Sedge Gahnia sieberiana Cyperaceae Wetland 1–2.5 m Brown Sun Wet to moist ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ receives (pollen and/or nectar). Shrub Creeping Boobialla Myoporum parvifolium Scrophulariaceae Woodland, Shrubland 0.3 m White Sun Dry ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ All the plants listed have been selected Shrub Blue Devil Eryngium ovinum Apiaceae Grassland, Herbfield 0.5 m Blue Sun Moist to dry ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ for their resilience and capacity to The coloured bars show the flowering Shrub Grass Tree Xanthorrea australis Asphodelaceae Grassland, Woodland 2 m Cream Sun to semi-shade Dry ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ months for each species. Heavier Shrub Coronidium scorpiodes Button Everlasting Asteraceae Grassland, Herbfield, Woodland 0.3 m Yellow sun Dry ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ supply rewards to pollinators. There is Shrub Native Dogwood Cassinia aculeata Asteraceae Woodland, Forest, Heathland < 3 m White-pink Sun to semi-shade Moist to dry ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ shading indicates peak flowering period. an emphasis on species that can Shrub Variable Groundsel Senecio pinnatifolius Asteraceae Woodland, Shrubland, Wetland 0.5 m Yellow Sun to semi-shade Moist to dry ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ withstand dry periods and irregular Because flowering dates will differ Shrub Hop Bitter Pea latifolia Fabaceae Woodland, Heathland 1–5 m Red & Yellow Sun to semi-shade Dry ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Shrub Gorse Bitter Pea Daviesia ulcifolia Fabaceae Woodland, Forest, Healthland < 2 m Red & Yellow Sun to semi-shade Dry ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ rainfall but some of the forbs, especially between regions and seasons, non-peak flowering months are shown in a paler Shrub Hop Goodenia Goodenia ovata Goodeniaceae Woodland, Forest 2 m Yellow Sun to semi-shade Moist ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ the lilies, will require moist habitats. Shrub Native Hemp Bush Gynatrix pulchella Malvaceae Woodland, Forest 4 m Green-white Semi-shade Moist ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ tone. Take particular note of these Shrub Fringe Myrtle Calytrix tetragona Myrtaceae Woodland, Heathland 1 m White-pink Sun Dry ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ The eucalypt species in the chart have non-peak times if your region is Shrub Native Bramble Rubus parvifolius Rosaceae Woodland, Forest 1 m White Sun to semi-shade Moist to dry ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ been selected as high quality honey consistently warmer or cooler than Shrub White Correa Correa alba Rutaceae Woodland, Forest, Heathland 2 m White Sun to semi-shade Moist to dry ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Shrub Native Fuchsia Correa reflexa Rutaceae Woodland, Heathland 0.5–3 m Pink-red Sun to semi-shade Moist to dry production species. Most eucalypt average and experiences early or late ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Shrub Hop Bush Dodonaea viscosa Sapindaceae Woodland, Forest 3–4 m Pink Sun to semi-shade Dry ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ species do not flower every year, so flowering times. Shrub Common Rice Flower Pimelea humilis Thymelaeaceae Woodland, Forest 0.3 m White-cream Sun to semi-shade Moist to dry ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ choosing diverse species will help Shrub Tree Violet Melicytus dentatus Violaceae Woodland, Shrubland 2–5 m Pale Yellow Sun Moist to dry ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ create continuously flowering habitat. Sourcing plants Shrub to Small Tree Tree Everlasting Ozothamnus ferrugineus Asteraceae Woodland, Shrubland 2–5 m White Sun Dry ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Shrub to Small Tree Prickly Moses Acacia verticillata .. Fabaceae Woodland 3 m Yellow Sun Moist to dry ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Most of the plant species listed are easy Shrub to Small Tree Christmas Bush Prostanthera lasianthos Lamiaceae Woodland, Forest, 1–5 m White-pale mauve Sun to semi-shade Moist to dry ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ How to use the calendar Shrub to Small Tree River Bottlebrush Callistemon seiberi Myrtaceae Woodland, Riparian 4 m Pink Sun to semi-shade Wet to moist ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ to establish from tubestock or seeds Shrub to Small Tree Prickly Tea Tree Leptospermum continentale Myrtaceae Woodland, Heathland, Forest 3 m White Sun to semi-shade Moist to dry ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ To create pollinator-attracting and all are available from retail or Shrub to Small Tree Woolly Tea Tree Leptospermum lanigerum Myrtaceae Woodland, Heathland, Forest 4 m White Sun to semi-shade Wet to moist ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ plantings, use the guide to choose wholesale nurseries. If you can’t source Shrub to Small Tree Manuka Leptospermum scoparium Myrtaceae Woodland, Forest, Heathland 4 m White-pink Sun to semi-shade Wet to moist ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ a selection of plants with a variety these plants at your local nursery, Shrub to Small Tree Moonah Melaleuca lanceolata Myrtaceae Woodland, Heathland 10 m White-cream Sun Wet to moist ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ of floral colours, growth habits and Shrub to Small Tree Scented Paperbark Melaleuca squarrosa Myrtaceae Forest, Wetland 10 m White-cream Sun Wet to moist ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ask them to contact the local wholesale Shrub to Small Tree Kurwan; Sweet Bursaria; Blackthorn Bursaria spinosa Pittosporaceae Woodland, Shrubland 4–6 m White Sun to semi-shade Dry ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ flowering seasons. nursery suppliers and plant growers Shrub to Small Tree Silver Banksia Banksia marginata Proteaceae Grassland, Woodland 5–11 m Yellow Sun Wet to moist ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ listed online — see the reverse of this Shrub to Small Tree Silky Hakea Hakea sericea Proteaceae Woodland, Heathland 0.5–4.5 m White-cream Sun to semi-shade Dry ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Shrub to Small Tree Kangaroo Apple, Poroporo Solanum aviculare Solanaceae Woodland, Shrubland, Forest 2–3 m Purple Sun to semi-shade Moist to dry ⬤* ⬤ ⬤ guide for details. Tree Drooping Sheoak Allocasuarina verticillata Casuarinaceae Grassland, Woodland 5–11 m Red & Yellow Sun Dry ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Tree Silver Wattle Acacia dealbata Fabaceae Woodland 3 m–30 m Yellow Sun to semi-shade Dry ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Tree Lightwood Acacia implexa Fabaceae Woodland 8–10 m Cream-yellow Sun Dry ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Tree Black Wattle Acacia mearnsii Fabaceae Woodland, Forest 10 m Pale Yellow Sun to semi-shade Moist to dry ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Tree Blackwood Acacia melanoxylon Fabaceae Woodland, Forest 8–20 m Pale Yellow Sun to semi-shade Dry ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Tree Golden Wattle Acacia pycnantha Fabaceae Woodland 5 m Yellow Full sun Moist to dry ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Tree Brown Stringybark Eucalyptus baxteri Myrtaceae Woodland, Forest < 40 m Cream Sun Moist to dry ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Tree River Red Gum Eucalyptus camaldulensis Myrtaceae Grassland, Woodland 20 m Cream Sun Moist to dry ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Tree Yellow Gum Eucalyptus leucoxylon Myrtaceae Woodland, Forest < 25 m Cream-pink Sun Moist to dry ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Tree Red Stringybark Eucalyptus macrorhyncha Myrtaceae Woodland, Forest < 35 m White Sun Dry ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Tree Yellow Box Eucalyptus melliodora Myrtaceae Woodland, Forest 15 m White Sun Moist to dry ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Tree Grey Box Eucalyptus microcarpa Myrtaceae Woodland, Forest < 25 m White Sun Moist to dry ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Tree Messmate Stringybark Eucalyptus obliqua Myrtaceae Woodland, Forest < 90 m White Sun Moist to dry ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Tree Swamp Gum Eucalyptus ovata Myrtaceae Woodland, Forest 15 m White Sun Wet to moist ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Tree Red Box Eucalyptus polyanthemos Myrtaceae Woodland, Forest 20–40 m White Sun Dry ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ Tree Narrow-Leaf Peppermint Eucalyptus radiata Myrtaceae Forest < 40 m White Sun Moist ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ WheenBeeFoundation.org.au Tree Manna Gum Eucalyptus viminalis Myrtaceae Woodland, Forest 25 m White Sun Moist to dry ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ *Buzz Pollinated Know your pollinators Flower forms

European honey bees have have two pairs of wings and long, segmented antennae. They are day-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 © Sustainable Farms of coexistence with humans and co-evolution with agricultural farming systems. Hives can be transported by beekeepers to Generalist flowers can be support crop pollination and to take advantage of flowering pollinated by many different insects European honey bee events to make honey. (Apis mellifera) © iStock and animals. They are typically saucer shaped with many stamens and have a surface that insects can There are more than 2000 species of native Australian bees, walk on. Eucalyptus flowers and which provide essential pollination services. Native bees are generally solitary and live in nests in the ground or in hollow stems, old borer daisy flowers are generalist flowers holes and other cracks and crevices, and some have evolved – they can be pollinated by bees, to pollinate particular native flowers through ‘buzz pollination’. flies, beetles and butterflies. 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. Plants such as Scaevola, Persoonia, Daviesia, Pultenaea and Swainsonia require special skills 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 Austroplebia sp.) are social bees and (Megachile maculariformis) © Karen Retra are used for commercial pollination of crops like macadamia nuts.

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

Horned beetle (Rhipicera femorata) © J. Hort Pollinator Butterflies have wings covered in tiny scales. They have clubbed antennae and hold their wings upright when at rest. They are day- rewards flying and have long tongues that they can use to feed on nectar in flowers with deep tubes. Butterflies are usually brightly coloured. Nectar is a sugary solution, rich in vitamins and minerals, that is produced by flowers and sometimes by glands on leaves or stems (called Meadow argus (Junonia villida) © J. Hort extra-floral nectaries). Nectar is attractive to insects, giving the instant energy needed to keep foraging. Moths also have wings covered in tiny scales and tend to be subtle in colour. They have antennae without clubs and hold their But sugar alone doesn’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. Pollen is rich in protein, fats and nutrients. Without pollen, bees Beautiful leaf moth and bee colonies cannot survive (Gastrophora henricaria) © Karen Retra and raise young. will encourage populations of buzz Wholesale Nurseries Buzz pollination pollinators, which can pollinate crops Most of the plants shown in the effectively and ensure seed set in native Some flowers do not produce any planting guide will be available at plants. Many small ground nesting bees nectar. Instead, they only offer pollen nurseries that have a good stock of also buzz pollinate native flowers. rewards to insects. Because pollen is native plants. But if your local nursery in high demand by pollinators, buzz doesn’t stock the plant you’re after, pollinated plants protect their pollen Nectar feeding ask them to order it in. For a list of in specialized anthers that only open wholesale nurseries at the tip. To extract pollen, insects use Grevillea flowers are adapted to be that stock all the vibrations to ‘buzz’ the pollen grains out successfully pollinated by birds. Their plants shown in the of the pores in the anthers. Many crops flowers are tube shaped and contain planting guide, plus are buzz pollinated including tomatoes, plenty of nectar. Pollen is ‘presented’ other useful resources, potatoes, eggplants, capsicum, chillies, on a floral stigma that extends outside visit the Wheen Bee tomatillo and cranberries. the flower. When birds feed on the Foundation website European honey bees are not able to nectar, pollen is deposited on their or scan the QR code. perform buzz pollination, but some beaks or heads. Bees, also attracted to WheenBeeFoundation.org.au/our-work/powerful-pollinators native bees, such as the blue-banded the sugary nectar, crawl into the side bee, and teddy bear bee (Amegilla sp.) of the flower and feed on the nectar and carpenter bee (Xylocopa sp.) are without encountering the pollen-laden exceptionally good large buzz pollinators. stigma. This means the plant doesn’t Wheen Bee Foundation They have evolved to pollinate native get the pollination benefit from the plants such as flax lilies (Dianella sp.), insect. Plants like grevillea are thus Powerful Pollinators Planting Guides are chocolate lilies (Arthropodium sp.), silver predominantly bird-pollinated, but can produced by Wheen Bee Foundation. senna (Senna sp.) and guinea flowers be a very useful source of nectar for We fund vital strategic research and (Hibbertia sp.). Plantings of these species insects in the cooler months. education initiatives that strengthen 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 reed bee, Exoneura species. (Photo: John Tann) 2. Red Rock, Victoria. (Photo: Bob T.) 3. European honey bees, © Sustainable Farms © Sustainable Farms Apis mellifera. (Photo: Kirrily Hughes)

This project is supported by: Smart Farms, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program, and our project partners Burt’s Bees and Sustainable Farms.

BurtsBees.com.au SustainableFarms.org.au

PP-Vic4.0 (2020) Wheen Bee Foundation 2020. 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/