June 20, 2019
About 75% of all flowering plant species need the help of animals to move their heavy pollen grains from plant to plant for fertilization. Farmers and ranchers across Florida rely on pollinators to increase yields and pollinate flowering crops to produces fruits and vegetables.
Pollinators are instrumental in the production of more than 1,000 plants grown for food, fuel and fiber including blueberries, peaches, melons, pumpkins and almonds.
Insects are the leading group of pollinating organisms. However, many species can be pollinators. Bees are the dominant species of pollinators and are often used in agricultural production and managed by humans.
Pollinator diversity is essential for the continued production of food across the state and the world.