Pollinators of the FEC

The FEC is a prime location to find local pollinators and flowers in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina. While spending time at the FEC, you will likely run into pollinators such as bees, wasps, and other insects, hard at work visiting the numerous flowers and other plant life on the property.

These pollinators play a vital role in the ecosystem of the FEC by pollinating the numerous species of flowers and other plants on the property.

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The Power of Pollinators

The Power of Pollinators

The importance of pollinators has become a well-known idea over the past decade.

Pollinators spread pollen from plant to plant: an essential step in transforming a small bud on a vegetable or fruit plant into the vegetables and fruits we eat every day.

Why Do Pollinators Visit Flowers in the First Place?

Why Do Pollinators Visit Flowers in the First Place?

Flowers provide bees and other pollinators with a necessary component to their life: food in the form of nectar. When the pollinator consumes the nectar, it will also be covered in pollen which is then transferred to neighboring flowers.

In addition to bees, other insect pollinators include butterflies, moths, flies and beetles.

The Importance of Pollinators

The Importance of Pollinators

While the job of a pollinator may sound straightforward, the pollinators in today’s world have been around for millions of years, slowly evolving into one of the best known mutualistic relationships. These pollinators have become so successful in their duties that many plants are designed to attract only one pollinator.

There is one downside and danger to having such an exclusive relationship: the risk of extinction; if one species of pollinator goes extinct, it’s probable that species of plants which rely on the pollinator will follow in the footsteps of their pollinator and become extinct, too.

Some Interesting Facts About Pollinators at the FEC

Some Interesting Facts About Pollinators at the FEC

  • There are 10 different species of bees that may be found at the FEC. Some of these bees aren’t responsible for pollination of flowers and plants.
  • The only non-insect pollinator that can be found at the FEC are hummingbirds.
  • If you see a plant with perfectly cut circles on the outer edges of its leaves, it’s a sign that the plant was visited—and potentially pollinated–by a leaf-cutter bee.

Some Interesting Facts About the Plants at the FEC

Some Interesting Facts About the Plants at the FEC

  • You’ll notice many of the flowers in the area are different colors. These different colors are used by the flowers to attract different pollinators.
  • Some flowers produce colors that cannot be perceived by the human eye. Certain pollinators that the plant wishes to attract can see these colors.
  • Have you ever experienced the smell of stinky trees in the springtime? Those smells are designed to attract certain pollinators to the flowers.

What You Can Do

What You Can Do

Supporting pollinators in your area is a simple and rewarding process. Here are a few things you may consider doing:

  • Plant a variety of native flowers in your garden and around your home to provide food for pollinators.
  • Visit local parks and nature sanctuaries/preserves. Your support may provide resources to help these areas remain open to aid at-risk pollinators.
  • Purchase items from brands which are committed to the proper care of pollinators. Look for the “Bee Better Certified” sticker on packages of fruits, vegetables, and other goods.

For a full list of native species to South Carolina, a list of companies committed to pollinators, and ways to design a garden for pollinators, please visit the links listed at the bottom of the webpage.

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