Introduction

This fact sheet provides

helpful information to aid in

the identification of native

pollinators in Mississippi.

Thousands of native

pollinators can be found in

Mississippi. However,

special emphasis has been

placed on pollinators that

may be declining across their

native ranges. Native

pollinators are adapted to

local climate conditions, soils

and plant life, and require

limited management or

maintenance. The

information provided

primarily focuses on

non-typical native pollinator

species (those other than

bees, butterflies and moths)

that are commonly viewed in

gardens and natural habitats

within Mississippi. These

pollinators play a crucial role

in ecosystem functions and

agricultural food production.

Wasp is a common name for a

group of insects very closely related

to bees. They are also considered

beneficial for gardens and

agricultural production because

they feed on crop pests. Though not

as effective pollinators as bees, they

can still help move pollen,

especially on composite flowers

like blackberry and goldenrod.

Adult wasps mainly feed on nectar,

but collect insects such as aphids

and caterpillars for their young. If a

wasp is parasitic, they lay their eggs

on pests such as Japanese beetle

grubs or stink bugs. Without

parasitic wasps, pests would

overtake most crops. Wasps are

most frequently observed in

gardens and/or natural habitats on shallow flowers, such as goldenrod and members of the

carrot family, including wild carrot, fennel, Queen Anne’s lace, and parsnip. There are

multiple species of wasp in Mississippi. Some commonly seen species are yellow jackets,

hornets, paper wasps, mud daubers, cicada killers, and velvet ants (actually a wasp and

not an ant). Social wasps, such as yellow jackets and hornets, have a colony to defend and

will sting to protect their nests. Most wasps are solitary and do not have colonies to

defend. Wasps, like mud daubers and cicada killers, fly away rather than sting unless

stepped on or handled.

Natural Resources Conservation Service

Helping People Help the Land

Wasps (Order Hymenoptera)

Flies (Order Diptera)

True flies have a single pair of wings and a pair of modified wings called halteres

that distinguish them from other insects. Some common flies that are pollinators

are love bugs, crane flies, hover flies (also called syrphid or flower flies), blow

flies, bee flies, tachinid flies, and even house flies and mosquitoes. Hover flies,

bee flies and tachinid flies mimic bees, with yellow and black striped abdomens.

Some are confused with sweat bees because they occasionally land on the

exposed skin of humans and sip on perspiration droplets. However, unlike sweat

bees, hover flies can “hover” motionless in mid-air, have one pair of wings, and

do not sting. Flies pollinate several important food crops that are not a favorite of

managed bees, including strawberries, onions, and carrots. Many pollinating flies

are attracted to foul smelling flowers that tend to smell like carrion (ex. skunk

cabbage and pawpaw).

June 2016

NATIVE POLLINATORS: NON-TYPICAL

Cicada Killer

(Sphecius speciosus)

Photo By Glynda Clardy/NRCS

Cicada Killer

(Sphecius speciosus)

Photo By Glynda Clardy/NRCS

Beetles (Order Coleoptera)

Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) is the only

hummingbird species that commonly occurs east of the Mississippi

River. This species is quite common in Mississippi and feeds

primarily on nectar from red tubular flowers such as the cardinal

flower, red buckeye and coral honeysuckle. Hummingbirds also feed

on small insects (vital for their young) and tree sap. During feeding,

hummingbirds may transport pollen from one flower to the next.

Hummingbirds are considered the only true pollinating bird in

Mississippi.

More on Native Pollinators The Pollinator Partnership offers different planting guides tailored to specific ecoregions in the United States. Each guide

contains native plant and pollinator information. To get the guide specific to your ecoregion visit the Pollinator Partnership

website: www.pollinator.org

Establishing Habitats for Mississippi’s Native Pollinators, Mississippi Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society

and The Jamie L. Whitten Plant Materials Center operated by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service:

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_PLANTMATERIALS/publications/mspmctn9081.pdf

Attracting Native Pollinators, The Xerces Society Guide to Protecting North America’s Bees and Butterflies

www.xerces.org/

For more information on how to create habitat for native pollinators contact your local NRCS office:

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/ portal/nrcs/main/ms/contact/local/ .

Birds (Class Aves)

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Pollinating beetles are usually seen on open-faced flowers (ex.

Black-eyed Susan and members of the carrot family). Beetles have

two pairs of wings, one for flying, and the second, called elytra, to

protect the flight wings when not flying. Pollinating beetles make up

the largest set of pollinating insects. Fossil records suggest beetles

evolved long before bees and were some of the first insects to assist

in pollination. For example, magnolias are some of the most ancient

of all flowering plants, and beetles have long been associated with

magnolia pollination. These insects are considered “mess and soil”

pollinators because they pollinate flowers while they messily

consume nectar, pollen and various flower parts. Many adult

beetles and their larvae, like the ladybug, are predators of crop

pests. Common Mississippi pollinator beetles include soldier

beetles, long-horned beetles, jewel beetles, and scarab beetles that include the well-known June and dung beetles.

Varied Carpet Beetle (Anthrenus verbasci)

on Queen Anne’s Lace (Daucus carota).

Photo By Glynda Clardy/NRCS

Varied Carpet Beetle (Anthrenus verbasci)

on Queen Anne’s Lace (Daucus carota).

Photo By :Glynda Clardy/NRCS

European Honey Bees (Apis mellifera) - Family: Apidae, are an introduced domestic species that did not evolve with

the native flora and fauna of North America, including Mississippi. However, honey bees play a critical role in

pollinating crops throughout North America. They are the pollinator most easily managed and transported for

agriculture. However, in recent years they have been plagued by pests and diseases, including the mysterious colony

collapse disorder. Honey bee decline has raised awareness of the importance of native pollinators in agriculture. We

can better support honey bees, native pollinators and other insects that reduce crop pest populations by protecting and

planting wildflowers, clump-forming grasses, shrubs, and trees that provide nectar, pollen and shelter. Native

pollinators can provide valuable pollination insurance for crops dependent on honey bees. Therefore, habitat for

native pollinators should be cultivated and protected in areas that depend upon honey bees.

Primary Non-Native Pollinator

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

(Archilochus colubris). Photo By:

John Monroe/NRCS.