Birds, bees, and butterflies as important pollinators. Did you know there are lots of other pollinators, like ants, beetles, moths, and even the wind? While often considered the ugly cousin of the butterfly, moths are not only beneficial pollinators, they’re often equally gorgeous!
There are more species of moths in the U.S. than all the bird and mammal species in North America combined. They outnumber butterflies, their nearest relative, by more than 10 to 1. Ranging in size from smaller than a pencil tip to bigger than a songbird. The Atlas Moth is considered the largest in the world, with a wingspan of nearly a foot!
After dark, moths and bats take over the night shift for pollination. Nocturnal flowers with pale or white flowers heavy with fragrance and copious dilute nectar, attract these pollinating insects. Not all moth pollinators are nocturnal; some moths are also active by day. Some moths hover above the flowers they visit while others land. Here’s a list of flowers that attract moths.
Want to learn more about who the pollinators are and how to create environments to attract and protect them? Sign up for our free webinar, Bring in the Pollinators! on January 22, 2022, and see the wide variety of nectar and pollen-rich flowers you can plant in your garden to support them throughout the seasons.