Hi, you're listening to cultivate
curiosity, a.
Podcast that inspires the next generation
to stay curious.
Cultivate curiosity is brought to you by
the Emerald Coast Science Center, a
nonprofit.
Interactive science museum and steam
educational facility in Fort Walton Beach,
Florida.
This podcast is perfect for anyone curious
about the world we live in, because
you never know what we'll talk about
next.
Hi, my name is Jacie and I'm
the social media coordinator here at the
Emerald Coast Science Center.
And on today's episode, we are talking
about the ecological significance of
pollinating insects.
And maybe one other thing, but we'll
get to that later.
So as we wander through the landscapes
of the Emerald coast, it's easy to
get lost in the beauty of swaying
palms, vibrant flowers, and towering
trees.
Yet amidst this picturesque scenery lies a
bustling world of tiny heroes insects.
While often overlooked, these industrious
creatures play a pivotal role in the
ecological balance of our region,
particularly in pollinating plants.
Join us as we delve into the
fascinating world of insect pollination
and explore the native insects of of
northwest Florida that contribute to this
vital ecological process.
So lets first talk about the pollination
process which can be broken down by
discussing the different parts of the
flower.
The ultimate goal of the pollination
process is for the flower to produce
seeds so we can have more flowers.
Yay.
When we first look at flowers, the
first thing we probably notice are the
petals.
These are brightly colored to attract
pollinators.
They are delicate and in order to
protect the flower while its still in
its bud there there is a part
of the flower called the sepal.
The sepal forms a ring around the
petals and acts as the petals bodyguard.
On the inside of the petals are
the reproductive parts of the flower.
The stamen is the male reproductive part
and contains two parts, the anther and
the filament.
Stamens are tall and somewhat flexible to
make it easier for pollinators to rub
on and collect pollen.
The anther contains pollen grains that are
held up by the filament.
Pollinators will come by and brush on
the stamen and carry the pollen to
the pistil.
The female reproductive part is called the
pistil.
It has three main parts called stigma,
style and ovary.
In the pistil there is a part
called the stigma.
The stigma contains a sticky substance
that catches the pollen.
Next is the style which is a
stalk that holds up the stigma.
Then there is the ovary which holds
the seed of the flower known as
the ovules.
This transfer of pollen from the male
to the female parts is essential for
the reproduction of flowering plants.
This process leads the formation of seeds
and fruits to ensure the continuation of
the plant species.
The pistil must be attached to the
ovary part of the plant so that
the pollen has a way to get
to the ovary.
Once the seeds are made, the petals
and sepals will begin to fall at
the plants during the changing of seasons
and seed pods can be collected.
If they are collected, you can then
plant them in the ground to germinate
and then a new plant will begin
to grow.
In addition to these important
reproductive parts of the flower, we must
not forget about our stems, leaves, leaves
and roots.
The roots absorb water and nutrients, the
stem holds up our flowers and transfers
these nutrients to the rest of the
plant, and our leaves absorb sunlight
through photosynthesis.
But how does this transfer of pollen
occur?
Pollinators while wind and water play a
role in this, insects are by far
the most efficient and widespread
pollinators, responsible for pollinating
approximately 75% of flowering plants
worldwide.
The insects that contribute to pollination
are bees, butterflies, moths, beetles and
some flies.
But let us not forget about the
hummingbirds, bats and even possums.
Yes opossum, which I will get to
later.
Lets get into some insects we might
see around us.
Northwest Florida is home to a diverse
array of native insects that serve as
effective pollinators.
Among these, bees reign supreme.
Native bee species such as the
southeastern blueberry bee and squash bee
are common sites in our regions, gardens
and natural habitats.
The southeastern blueberry bees are our
most efficient blueberry pollinators, but
they are only active for a short
period of time.
In the early spring, they will seek
nectar on a variety of spring flowers
like the eastern redbud, azalea and
clover.
But they love blueberry and trumpet
flowers.
One study revealed that a single adult
female can visit up to 50,000 blueberry
flowers, which would end up giving us
6000 ripe blueberries.
Thank you blueberry bee.
These industrious bees diligently collect
pollen to provision their nests,
inadvertently transferring pollen between
flowers as they forage.
Butterflies and moths also contribute
significantly to pollination.
In northwest Florida, species like the
monarch butterfly and the gulf fritillary
are not only a delight to behold,
but also play vital roles as they
flutter from flower to flower, sipping
nectar and transferring pollen in the
process.
If you would like to support monarch
butterflies, you should make sure to plant
Florida's native milkweeds.
There are 21 native milkweed species in
Florida like the butterfly weed, pink
swamp milkweed and white swamp milkweed.
In addition to seeing monarchs on your
native milkweeds.
You may also get to see queen
and soldier butterflies, eastern
swallowtails, sweat bees, leaf cutter
bees, and yellow faced bees.
These insects either use this plant as
a host for their caterpillars or need
the milkweeds pollen and nectar.
Additionally, beetles, flies and even ants
play their part as pollinators in our
ecosystem.
Beetles, with their voracious appetites
for pollen and nectar, often visit large,
showy flowers such as magnolias and
sunflowers.
Flies, including syrphid flies and beef
flies, are attracted to a wide range
of flowers, contributing to pollination
while seeking sustenance.
Even ants, though not as efficient as
bees or butterflies, inadvertently
transfer pollen as they scavenge for food
within flowers.
One amazing beetle in our area is
the goldenrod soldier beetle.
These insects feed on the nectar and
pollen on various flowers, but the
goldenrod species is a big favorite.
We would typically see them in late
summer or early fall, which just so
happens to be around the same time
the goldenrod flower is blooming.
Not only are these beetles amazing
pollinators, but they are helpful insects
to have in a garden as they
can eat plant pests like aphids.
Now for our hummingbirds, bats and
opossums.
Hummingbirds, like the ruby throated
hummingbirds, prefer to collect nectar
from tube shaped flowers like the coral,
honeysuckle and fire bush.
These flowers have adapted to have nectar
deep inside the flowers, so the pollen
has the opportunity to stick to the
head or back of the bird.
Bats are very important pollinators in
tropical and desert climates, and they are
doing most of this pollination in areas
like Africa, southeast Asia and the
Pacific islands.
Nectar feeding bats pollinate many
valuable plants like bananas, avocados,
dates, figs, mangoes and that is just
to name a few.
These types of bats play a vital
role in the survival and regrowth of
rainforests.
Possums while not much has been shown
of their pollination power in Florida,
floral traits in Brazil show different
floral traits can provide us with insights
into the types of pollinators that are
best for the job.
The flowers of scabalium fungiformi are in
a family of parasitic plants that are
native to the atlantic forests of Brazil.
This plant is covered in scale like
bracts, which make it difficult for the
flowers to be accessed.
Luckily, big eared possums have opposable
toes on their back feet and can
use their feet to remove the bracts,
which unveils a bounty of nectar.
As it feeds on this, its furry
snout and body get covered in pollen
and as it visits up other flowers
through the night pollination is achieved.
So now let's talk about the ecological
significance of insect pollination.
It can't really be overstated.
Beyond the immediate benefits to plants,
pollination plays a crucial role in
maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem
stability.
Here are some key points highlighting the
importance of pollination.
Biodiversity insect pollination
facilitates the reproduction of a vast
array of plant species, leading to diverse
plant communities.
This biodiversity, in turn, supports a
multitude of other organisms, including
birds, mammals, and insects themselves,
forming intricate food webs.
Crop production many of the fruits,
vegetables, and nuts that we rely on
for sustenance are the result of insect
pollination.
In north of Florida, crops such as
blueberries, watermelons, and squash
benefit greatly from insect pollinators
contributing to local agriculture and the
economy.
Habitat restoration insect pollinated
plants play a crucial role in habitat
restoration efforts.
By attracting pollinators, native plants
can be reintroduced into degraded
habitats, helping to restore ecosystem
health and resilience.
Genetic diversity pollination facilitates
genetic exchange within plant populations,
enhancing their adaptability to changing
environmental conditions.
This genetic diversity is vital for the
long term survival of plant species,
especially in the face of climate change
and habitat loss.
Now let's talk a little bit about
conservation efforts and community
involvement when it comes to insects.
Given the essential role of insect
pollinators in our ecosystem, we must take
steps to conserve and protect them.
Here are some ways individuals,
communities, and even organizations can
contribute to pollinator conservation
efforts.
Plant native species by incorporating
native flowering plants into gardens and
green spaces, we can provide essential
forage resources for local pollinators.
Native plants are adapted to the region's
climate and soil conditions, making them
attractive and beneficial to native
insects.
The next thing we can do is
avoid pesticide use.
Pesticides, particularly neonicotinoids,
can be harmful to pollinators.
Whenever possible, opt for organic or
pesticide free gardening practices to
minimize the risk to bees, butterflies,
and other beneficial insects.
You can also create pollinator habitats.
Designating areas specifically for
pollinator habitat within community parks,
school grounds, and even private
properties can provide valuable refuge and
resources for local insect populations.
And lastly, you can educate and raise
awareness.
Through educational programs, workshops,
and outreach events, we can raise
awareness about the importance of
pollinators and inspire action within our
communities.
So, as we reflect on the ecological
significance of insects and pollinating
plants on the emerald coast, let us
remember the vital role these tiny heroes
play in sustaining the beauty and
diversity of our natural world.
By embracing sustainable practices,
supporting pollinator friendly
initiatives, and and fostering a deeper
appreciation for the interconnectedness of
all living things, we can ensure a
flourishing ecosystem for generations to
come together.
Let us celebrate and protect our buzzing
allies, for they are the guardians of
our green spaces and the architects of
abundance in nature's tapestry.
If you're interested in exploring more
about pollinators, come visit our museum,
and you can check out our pollinator
signs and the small garden at the
front of the science center so you
don't even have to actually come in
when we're open.
You can see that at any point
in time, we have some signs about
how pollination works and how our insects
are helping us with that.
So that is all I have for
you guys today.
Thank you for listening to this episode,
and we will see you guys again
in two weeks.
Thank you.
Bye.
Thanks for listening to this week's
episode of Cultivating Curiosity.
If you have any questions, feel free
to email us at socialmedia@ecscience.org
dot.
Tune in for our next episode in
two weeks.