Native Pollinators

Click through the slide exhibits below to meet each pollinator species. Start at your favorite group and make your way through the rest! Remaing updates coming soon...

Bees

There are about 500 bee species in Ohio! While it's impossible to list every single one here, read through the slides to learn about the main types of bees and their unique qualities. Get to know all sorts of hardworking bees: from small to bumbly, solitary to buzzy, and hairless to fuzzy.

Butterflies

There are more than 140 species of butterflies in Ohio! With a dazzling array of flapping wings and curly tongues (proboscis), butterflies are a joy to see outdoors. There's simply so much to learn about butterflies, from their life cycle to migration patterns. Read all about these unique species and marvel at their beautiful wing patterns.

Believe it or not, this is a moth native to Ohio! This hummingbird clearwing looks just like a plump, fuzzy bird.

Moths

There are over 3,000 species of moths in Ohio! When the sun goes down, moths start their pollinating shift. Occasionally seen during the day, these insects take center stage at night, pollinating nocturnal blooms in an impressive number and variety. There's no doubt that moths are a key part of Ohio's ecosystems. Read more about some of these species, and discover why moths are such unique pollinators.

No pollinator bats

There are no pollinator bats in Ohio. Native bat species, including the little brown bat and the Indiana bat, mainly eat insects. Pollinator bats eat fruit or nectar, which is how they come in contact with flowers. Found in the US Southwest, these species pollinate Saguaros, agave, bananas, mango, cacao, and over 300 other plants. They thrive in tropical and desert climates, which are quite literally the opposite of Ohio.

So I guess I have nothing to say for the other slides...