Sunflowers have hidden patterns of ultraviolet colours — visible to pollinators, these colours are due to the presence of pigments that also help plants retain moisture.
Half of all flowering plants mostly or completely rely on animal pollinators to make seeds. A decline in pollinators could cause major disruptions in natural ecosystems.
Tlou Masehela, South African National Biodiversity Institute
Honeybees are crucial for pollinating crops and plants. They need good forage resources to do this and these resources are under threat in South Africa.
Baobab flowers have male and female parts but individual trees appear to be favouring one rather than the other. To keep tree populations healthy and fruitful, both types are needed.
Planting a garden for winter-active insects is a wonderful way to support local biodiversity. Your garden will thrive with the free pollination and pest control services the insects provide.
As invasive species transform the world, frontline agencies take solace that species needing unique partners can’t invade alone. A new study on figs shows they may find new partners to invade anyway.
A single colony of bees can have 60,000 bees in it. Together, they can visit up to 50 million flowers each day to collect pollen and nectar. They’re not called ‘busy bees’ for nothing!