7 ms·

As a gardener I have noticed that most types of insects tend to visit as many flowers as possible. None seem to show a vast preference. I know that's not what t

As a gardener I have noticed that most types of insects tend to visit as many flowers as possible. None seem to show a vast preference. I know that's not what the data shows but it's my experience.

rob74 3y ago
I guess most flowers that people will put into their garden are those pollinated by, let's call them "bee-like pollinators", that are attracted to sweet-smelling and/or colorful flowers (although some, like https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddleja_davidii https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddleja_davidii, have a preference for butterflies) . For instance, if you would plant one of these https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amorphophallus_titanum https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amorphophallus_titanum (that are pollinated by flies and carrion-eating beetles, and smell really yummy to them, but less so to us humans), your neighbors would probably complain...
scns 3y ago
Bees prefer native flowers. Zero snark intended.
- zabzonk 3y ago
  what is a "native flower"?
  - pvaldes 3y ago
    autochtonous
stinos 3y ago
None seem to show a vast preference That might be some kind of observation effect. Which isn't surprising either: there are various species out there which have a distinct preference for, or even visit only, one specific family of native plants or even just one particular plant. If those plants are already less common to begin with (due to various reasons, unfortunately often human-induced) there's a lot less chance you'll ever get to see the insects which rely on those plants. Just 2 of the many examples for Western Europe which are in decline and becoming hard to find are Andrena hattorfiana haemorrhoidalis and Andrena pandellei. You'd have to be fairly lucky to just see them in your garden, you'd already need to pay attention to now mow the plants they're after at the correct time, if you already have those to begin with. Likewise the more generalist insects who visit a wide range of plants will be much easier to witness.

As a gardener I have noticed that most types of insects tend to visit as many flowers as possible. None seem to show a vast preference. I know that's not what the data shows but it's my experience.

rob74 3y ago

I guess most flowers that people will put into their garden are those pollinated by, let's call them "bee-like pollinators", that are attracted to sweet-smelling and/or colorful flowers (although some, like https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddleja_davidii https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddleja_davidii, have a preference for butterflies) . For instance, if you would plant one of these https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amorphophallus_titanum https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amorphophallus_titanum (that are pollinated by flies and carrion-eating beetles, and smell really yummy to them, but less so to us humans), your neighbors would probably complain...

scns 3y ago

Bees prefer native flowers. Zero snark intended.

zabzonk 3y ago
what is a "native flower"?
- pvaldes 3y ago
  autochtonous

stinos 3y ago

None seem to show a vast preference That might be some kind of observation effect. Which isn't surprising either: there are various species out there which have a distinct preference for, or even visit only, one specific family of native plants or even just one particular plant. If those plants are already less common to begin with (due to various reasons, unfortunately often human-induced) there's a lot less chance you'll ever get to see the insects which rely on those plants. Just 2 of the many examples for Western Europe which are in decline and becoming hard to find are Andrena hattorfiana haemorrhoidalis and Andrena pandellei. You'd have to be fairly lucky to just see them in your garden, you'd already need to pay attention to now mow the plants they're after at the correct time, if you already have those to begin with. Likewise the more generalist insects who visit a wide range of plants will be much easier to witness.