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Pollinator

/POL-ih-nay-ter/
🦋 Ecology Basic

Also known as: pollinators

Any organism (bee, butterfly, moth, hummingbird, bat, beetle, fly, wasp) that moves pollen from the anther of one flower to the stigma of another, facilitating sexual reproduction. Approximately 75% of flowering plants and 35% of food crops depend on animal pollinators. Pollinator gardens provide nectar and pollen sources throughout the growing season.

Etymology

Latin pollen (fine flour, dust) + -ator (agent suffix)

Example

Plant a diversity of bloom times to support pollinators from early spring through late fall.