Moths need protections too, just like bees

Honeybees are not the only valuable pollinators that require strong conservation and protection efforts.a The study was published in the journal on June 5 ecology letter The researchers found that not only are nocturnal pollinators such as moths likely to visit as many plants as bees, but they are also more resilient than bees due to their more complex life cycles and more specialized plant requirements. I’ve found it to be less likely.

[Related: Move over, bees: The lowly weevil is a power pollinator.]

of study And despite these threats and pressures, moths still play an important role in supporting plant communities in urban environments, accounting for approximately one-third of all pollination in trees, crops and flowering plants. I also discovered that there is In more urbanized areas, the diversity of pollen carried by bees and moths decreases, leaving fewer floral resources available to urban pollinators.

The team behind the study suggests that helping introduce plant species that are beneficial to moths and bees will become increasingly important to the health of urban ecosystems.

“Since moths and bees both depend on plants for survival, plant communities also depend on insects for pollination,” said study co-author Emily, a pollinator ecologist at the University of Sheffield. Eris says said in a statement. “By protecting urban green spaces and ensuring they are developed in a way that supports diverse wildlife beyond the protection of bees alone, both bee and moth populations remain resilient and It will enable our towns and cities to remain healthier and greener places.”

According to this study, bees and moths also visit very different plant communities. It turns out that moths carry more pollen than previously thought and tend to visit more types of trees and fruit trees, along with the usual types of pale-scented flowers. Urbanized areas may have less plant species diversity and an excess of exotic plant species. Both of these lead to reduced insect interaction with less attractive plant species, harming both insect and plant populations.

The researchers used DNA sequencing to identify the pollen that nocturnal moths attach to flowers when they visit them. This analysis revealed a wide range of plant species that are unlikely to be pollinated by honeybees.

[Related: The alluring tail of the Luna moth is surprisingly useless for finding a mate.]

“This study makes it clear that pollination is achieved by complex networks of insects and plants, but these networks can be delicate and susceptible to urbanization,” said co-author of the University of Sheffield. Stuart Campbell, an evolutionary and chemical ecologist, said. said in a statement. “We can also learn which plant species are the best food sources for different insects, including nocturnal insects like adults, and use that information to develop appropriate food sources for all pollinators.” can provide.”

A better understanding of how important moths are to plant pollination will influence urban planning, policy and wildlife-friendly garden initiatives. decreased by about 33 percent Over the past half-century in the UK alone.

“When planning green spaces, ensure that plantings are diverse and moth and bee friendly, so that both plants and insects remain resilient in the face of climate crises and further losses. We have to consider that,” Ellis said. .

Advice for making your garden pollinator-friendly includes using plants that attract both professional and general pollinators, planting a wide variety of plant species, For example, keep weeds growing.