Little Known Pollinators

The pollinators that live in our native plant communities and around our homes are as important (if not more important) as the black bear or the gopher tortoise. Without these insects to pollinate our native plants neither bear nor tortoise would have anything to eat as the saw palmetto and gopher apple would be unable to produce any fruit. Not only are they important to the natural ecosystems of Florida, but they also pollinate our vegetables … providing us with food. Insect pollinators include bees, wasps, beetles & flies, as well as the familiar butterflies and moths.

Bee Flies (Bombyliidae family)

The Large Bee Fly (Bombylius spp.) looks like a furry mosquito on steroids. Average size is 1/2 inch in length. The adult frequents fields and open meadows in search of nectar. Larva are parasitic on solitary bees. The female follows a solitary bee to her nest, waits for the bee to leave, then lays a single egg in the tunnel.

A Progressive Bee Fly (Exoprosopa spp.) looks like a furry fly. Average size is 1/2 inch in length. Preferred habitat is meadows, fields, and bare ground. Adult drinks nectar and the larva are parasitic preferring robber fly larvae, but also prey on bees, wasps, and ants.

Hover Flies (Syrphidae family)

The Drone Fly (Eristalis tenax) resembles a honey bee, however, there is no waist between the thorax and abdomen. Average size is 5/8 inch in length. Preferred habitat is meadows and fields. Adults feed on nectar, pollen and their larvae feed on organic matter. Eggs are laid in crevices near stagnant water.

The American Hoverfly (Eupeodes americanus) is brown with yellow cross bands. Average size is 3/8 inch in length. The adults drink nectar and the larva prey on aphids and scale insects. Preferred habitat is meadows and fields. Eggs are laid on aphid infested foliage. Larva are pale gray and slug like and pupate in leaf litter. As their name states … they will hover directly in front of your face if you’re in their territory, but they will not sting you … only intimidate you.

Horse and Deer Flies (Tabanidae family)

The American horse fly (Tabanus americanus) is a huge fly with an average size of 1 1/8 inch in length. The male eats pollen and drinks nectar, and the female sucks blood from mammals. Preferred habitat is swamps, marshes and ponds. Eggs are laid on plant material overhanging fresh water. Larva feed on aquatic insects.

The Deer Fly (Chrysops spp.) is a stout broad headed fly. Average size is 5/8 inch in length. The male drinks nectar, and the female sucks blood from mammals. Preferred habitat is woodlands, meadows and roadsides near water. Eggs are laid on plant material just above the water. Larva feed on aquatic insects and pupate in the mud.

Vespid Wasps (Vespidae family)

The Paper Wasp’s (Polistes spp.) average size is 1 inch in length. The adults drink nectar and the juice from rotting fruit. Preferred habitat is meadows, fields and gardens. The larva feed on insects. Paper like structures are built to house the larva. Paper wasps are much more tolerant of disturbances than yellow jackets or hornets, but will still attack pretty easily.

The Yellow Jacket (Vespulas spp.) has a stout body with black and yellow stripes. Average size is 5/8 inch in length. Adults drink nectar. The larva feed on insects pre-chewed by the adults. Preferred habitat is meadows and forest edges. Nests are built underground, or in stumps, or fallen logs. Yellow jackets sting with little provocation.

Sphecid Wasps(Sphecidae family)

The Florida Hunting Wasp (Palmodes dimidiatus) has an average size of 7/8 inch in length. Adults drink nectar and the larva feed on camel crickets and long horned grasshoppers. Preferred habitat is fields and woods. The female excavates a short burrow in the earth and places an anesthetized victim in the burrow with a single egg, and then seals the entrance.

The Cicada Killer (Sphecius speciosus) has an average size of 1 5/8 inches in length. Adults drink nectar and larva feed on cicadas. Preferred habitat is forest edges and city parks. Burrows are dug in the soil to house two to three egg cells. Cicadas are placed in each cell to feed the larva.

Bees (Apoidea family)

The Virescent Green Metallic Bee (Agapostemon virescens) is a small, 3/8 inch in length, shiny green bee. Adults drink nectar and larvae feed on nectar and pollen. Preferred habitat is meadows and gardens with sandy soil. The colony’s nest is built in bare soil, or vertical banks.

The Southern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa micans) closely resembles a bumble bee. Average size is 1 inch in length. Adults drink nectar and the larva feed on nectar and pollen. Preferred habitat is forests and adjacent meadows. The female chews a tunnel in dry wood and places eggs in partitions that she has constructed with cemented wood chips.

Long Horned Beetles (Cerambycidae family)

The Notch-tipped Flower Longhorn (Typocerus sinuatus) is an orange beetle with long antennae. Adults drink nectar and eat pollen. Average size is 1/2 in length. Preferred habitat is forest and clearings. Larva feed on decaying wood and tunnel inside to pupate.

The Elder Borer (Desmocerus palliatus) is a bright orange and black beetle with an average size of 1 inch in length. The adults feed on pollen. Preferred habitat is moist forests and stream edges. Larva feed on elderberry roots. Eggs are laid on the elderberry stems and the larva burrow into them, progress to the roots, and pupate in the soil.

Things You Can Do To Ensure That Your Property & Garden Has Plenty of Pollinators

Plant native plants that provide nectar and pollen.
Avoid pesticides – use organic methods!
Learn to like the bugs!
Read your field guides and learn their behavior.
Allow a portion of your property to be wild – ground nesting insects will appreciate the sanctuary.
Provide stumps or blocks of wood for insects to nest in.
Just in case you missed it – Don’t use pesticides!