Guide: Promoting Our Pollinators

By Mikayla Hyland-Wood

Banner photo: A Blue Banded Bee approaches a Golden Shower Tree (credit: Jean and Fred / Flickr CC BY 2.0)

Introduction

Pollination is a vital ecological process, helping to produce Australia’s high-quality fruit, vegetables, gardens and native landscapes. Ninety-five percent of flowering plant species need pollinators, so when we are restoring landscapes with vegetation it is important to think about how we can create habitats within which pollinators can thrive.

Honey bee on flowering gum tree
Honey bee on flowering gum tree (credit: Adobe Stock)
New Holland honeyeater on Callistemon bottlebrush plant
New Holland honeyeater on Callistemon bottlebrush plant (credit: Adobe Stock)
Native bee collecting eucalyptus nectar (credit: Adobe stock)
Native bee collecting eucalyptus nectar (credit: Adobe stock)
Pollination occurring through butterflies
Pollination occurring through butterflies (credit: Adobe Stock)

Pollinating animals visit flowers to drink nectar or feed off the pollen before transporting the pollen grains as they move from spot to spot. And since plants are immobile, this process is vital to move pollen across large distances that are otherwise unreachable. Successful pollination ensures the next generation is healthy and genetically diverse.

This guide is designed to teach you more about the process of pollination so that you can identify, protect and encourage more pollinators on your property.

What is pollination?

Pollination is a natural process by which pollen grains move from the anther (male part) of a flower to the stigma (female part) of a flower. This is the critical first step to producing seeds, fruits and the next generation of plants.

Diagram showing pollination cycle illustration
Diagram showing pollination cycle illustration

There are several ways pollination can occur:

Self-pollination

Known as geitonogamy or autogamy:

Viola sp (credit: Yarra Ranges council)
Viola putting on a show to attract pollinators (credit: Yarra Ranges council)

Autogamy

In this type of pollination, pollen grains are transferred from the anther to the stigma within the same flower. This mechanism requires coordinated opening, maturation and exposure of nearby anthers and stigmas.

Caladenia moschata (credit: Yarra Ranges Council)
The beautiful Caladenia moschata relies on bees for pollination (credit: Yarra Ranges Council)

Geitonogamy

This type of pollination requires pollen grains to move from the anther of one flower to the stigma of another flower within the same plant. The Caladenia genus, commonly known as Spider Orchids, are known to use this process.

Cyperaceae sp (credit: Jee and Rani Nature Photography)
Cyperaceae (sedges_ are commonly pollinated by wind, but some transitions from wind to insect pollination have been reported in tropical regions. (credit: Jee and Rani Nature Photography)

Wind pollination (anemophily)

When self-pollination fails, or is not possible, other environmental factors contribute to successful pollination like wind. Some native Australian florae have light-weight pollen grains which release from the plant in windy conditions. Although this is a relatively inefficient method pollination, it works well for groups such as grasses.  Wind pollinated plants produce no nectar and have insignificant flowers that are mostly dioecious (having the male and female reproductive organs in separate individuals).

Villarsia reniformis (credit: Plantmark)
Villarsia reniformis also known as the Common Marsh Flower (credit: Plantmark)

Water pollination (hydrophily)

This is the least common type of pollination, at around 2% of pollination efforts. Water pollination involves pollen floating (called a pollen raft) on the water’s surface to reach a flower’s available stigma.   Some wetland species such as the brilliant yellow running marsh flower Villarsia reniformis have female flowers on the water’s surface which are able to attract these passing pollen rafts. Sometimes pollen travels under the water to reach fully aquatic species, but this is a rare occurrence.

Antechinus plays a role in pollination of native species like the Banksia (credit: Jiri Lochman, CSIRO)
Antechinus plays a role in pollination of native species like the Banksia (credit: Jiri Lochman, CSIRO)

Animal and insect pollination (zoophily)

This is the most common type of pollination where animals carry pollen between plants. Zoophily relies on animals travelling from the anther of one plant to the stigma of another, effectively fertilising the ovules in the flower. If the animal fails to bridge the gap properly, pollination does not occur.

Lesser-known pollinating species

The European honeybee, alongside its native Australian counterpart, are credited with much of the pollinator process. While they are incredibly important, many other native Australian fauna like birds, bats, butterflies, moths, flies, beetles, wasps, and small mammals, help share the pollination load. The insects in this list are particularly important for pollination in Australia, accounting for 65% of active domestic pollination.  When promoting environments within which pollinators can thrive it is important to think about these other pollinators, not just bees.

Australian Grey-headed flying fox (credit: Australian Museum)
Australian Grey-headed flying fox (credit: Australian Museum)

Flying foxes

Its not commonly known but flying foxes play a vital role in pollination. They distribute seeds from fruits they consume up to 50km away in one night, increasing genetic diversity and connecting fragmented ecosystems.

Australian bush fly and Richmond birdwing butterfly
Australian bush fly and Richmond birdwing butterfly (credit: Australian Geographic)

Flies and butterflies

Mainly diurnal pollinators (active during the day), these smaller creatures maximise contact to the anther by approaching the flower from above, and significantly contribute to Australian avocado and fruit production.

Emperor gum moth (credit: Adobe Stock)

Moths

Often overlooked in pollination, moths are a critical nocturnal pollinator, targeting plants that flower at night. Moth-pollinated flowers are often white or translucent with fragrant scents to attract their pollinating companions.

Australian Lorikeet (credit: Australian Geographic)
Australian Lorikeet (credit: Australian Geographic)

Honeyeaters and lorikeets

There are over 100 species of important pollinating birds in Australia. Honeyeaters and lorikeets are persistent flower-feeders which target native flora such as Eucalypt, Banksia, and Callistemon trees.

How can you promote pollination?

Use local native plants where possible

This Rivers of Carbon native species list identifies trees, shrubs and grasses that are suited to the southeast NSW climactic conditions.

Plant diverse species with different flower colours

Pollinators are often drawn to specific-coloured flowers, like moths to white/translucent petals, so increasing the options helps to call diverse pollinators. Check out the ‘Attractive our native birds and bees guide’ by The Tree Shop for more on this.

Look for species that flower at different times of day and year

This flowering calendar, designed by the Australian Botanic Garden, displays which native species flower in each month. You can click on any species to find out more about its specific soil, rainfall, slope and flowering/fruiting preferences. Completed with a photo, its scientific name, and where to find it at the Australian Botanic Garden.

Consider native ground cover instead of traditional lawn grass

Native ground cover is a great low maintenance alternative to grass, simultaneously introducing diversity, flowers and lush foliage into your garden. Billy Buttons, Native Violet, Native Daisies, Yellow Buttons, and Gin Gin Gem are some of our favourite native ground cover varieties! See this native ground cover plant list from Ultimate Backyard for more inspiration.

Some bare earth patches are important for ground-dwelling bees to nest in

Believe it or not, almost 70% of Australia’s 1,700 bees burrow into the ground for refuge from extreme temperatures and weather. The Blue-Banded Bees and Teddybear Bees are just two examples. Leaving space for these bees is equally as important as promoting flowering flora on your property. Check out what burrowing bees look like in this Bush Heritage video below.

Stay engaged in the pollination conversation

Australian Pollinator Week runs 11-19 November 2023

This is an annual celebration to raise awareness of the importance of pollinators and supporting their needs. For more info, visit www.australianpollinatorweek.org.au

Be informed about pollinators impact on Australian food security

Pollination and food security are inextricably linked. Promoting pollination of agricultural and horticultural crops could result in improved ecosystem health and resilience, higher quality foods and more local jobs. Read more about this here.

Know your local pollinators

This pollinators insect list is useful for landholders in southeast NSW, highlighting key species and habitat considerations.

Blue Banded bee approaching yellow flowers
Our stunning Australian Blue Banded Bee getting on with the job of pollinating.(credit: Adobe Stock)