Growing Crisis in Canada's Pollination

From nine-full-colour pages in the summer issue of Canadian Wildlife, vital information, which to the average eye , may go unnoticed. Often misidentified, as wasps or hornets,
flower flies are central to pollination in Canada (according to a special report).

“Most life on this planet would be impossible without pollinators. They perform one of Nature's essential processes in transferring pollen among flowers.~ they help create life. In doing so, they provide the world with food, shelter, fuel, biomass and oxygen. Anything that hurts pollinators ~ habitat loss ~ pesticide use ~ and global warming (among other threats) needs to be taken seriously: NOW! To many, unknown, when pollen is moved from the male part of the flower (the anther) to the female part (the stigma), pollination occurs. This is the initial phase in a process that ultimately generates seeds, fruit and the next generation of plants. When this can happen on some plants, via wind and water, most plants require pollination creatures to move pollen within the flower and from bloom to bloom.

There are a few vertebrate pollinators in Canada, (such as hummingbirds) but there are over 10,000 species of invertebrate pollinators in this country. Honey Bees, not native to Canada, (imported from South America) are the go-to-for-profit pollinator in Canada. Together, flower flies and bees are responsible for more than 80 % of pollinating for Canada's agricultural crops.
A World without Pollinators is unimaginable. It is time for Action!

To encourage Hummingbirds to spend time in your garden, consider planting attractive native wildflowers like Goldenrod and Asters..Mountain Mint....and shrubs like Nannyberry.

Changes in Climate:
Like every other living thing, Pollinators and the plants that depend on them are being affected by increasing CO2 levels...rising temperatures and the changes they have brought.
Increased carbon in the atmosphere, is altering insect plant interactions. Warmer temperatures, meanwhile cause flowers in affected areas to bloom a month earlier than they did a few decades ago.

Some plants are moving to higher elevations ~ leaving pollinators behind as they fail to adapt at the same rate as flowering plants. Bees are particularly affected by higher temperatures.

Protecting Pollinators:
To establish the first North American-wide framework for pollinator conservation, Canadian Wildlife Federation, researchers and farmers, also in Mexico, will launch the 3 P's of focus: Pesticide Reduction...Pathway Creation...and Public Action.

Special Report about Butterflies:

There are 306 butterfly species in North America. Active during the day, they are less efficient than other pollinators because of their long legs and slender bodies ~ limiting how much pollen they pick up. Most, being generalists, they are drawn to bright clustered flowers (especially red, yellow and orange) that offer 'ready-landing platforms: open in daylight...butterflies are generous nectar producers. Sensitive to environmental changes, butterflies are rapidly adapting to rising temperatures, by moving further north and higher in altitude. To home-attract butterflies...they need warming sunlight ...and some shallow water...as a result, doing your garden and eco-sphere a favour!

Gleaned by Merle Baird-Kerr...July 12, 2020
Comments always welcome: mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca