Why is pollination by insects important

A fly resting on the anthers as it uses the sponge-like mouthparts to absorb the nectar. Photo: © O Batley.
Why is pollination by insects important for the environment and us?

1. Pollination by insects is a much more reliable and effective pollination mechanism than the chance of spreading.
2. Pollination by insects provides plant community structures.
3. Pollination by insects is particularly important for Australian native trees and shrubs. For example, native bees pollinate many members of plant families Myrtaceae. This family includes eucalypts, angophoras and tea trees.
4. Pollination by insects are essential for crop production. A third of the human food supply are crops that are dependent on pollination by bees.

What insects are pollinators?

Species of bees, beetles, flies, wasps, thrips, butterflies and moths are all successful pollinators.

These insects make good pollinators, because they share two important features:

* The flies, and are therefore able to visit many plants in a relatively short time,
* They are motivated to interact with pollen as they either eat it or food adjacent (eg nectar).

The most sophisticated relationship between plants and insects are generally those involving bees. The bees collect pollen and nectar, not only for itself but also to feed their young. For this reason, bees have developed a number of adaptations that make them particularly good pollen carriers. Bees have special hairs, which are designed to provide pollen 'curve' on their hindlegs and the underside of their abdomen. These adjustments will allow them to collect and transport large quantities of pollen. Bees are ideal pollinators because they visit many flowers, while carrying lots of pollen, before returning to their nest. So the chance that a bee will transfer pollen between flowers of the same species is very high.