Butterflies and Bees: Essential Pollinators of Samos Ecosystems

Vocabulary flashcards covering pollinator species and key ecological notes from the Samos lecture, including bees, butterflies, and moths, their roles, characteristics, and habitats.

European Bee

(Apis mellifera) European honeybee; social, colony-living pollinator on Samos; pollinates wildflowers and crops such as olives (Olea europaea) and almonds (Prunus dulcis); produces honey for local farmers.

Carpenter Bee

(Xylocopa violacea) Solitary bee with a large, metallic blue-black body; excellent pollinator of deep-corolla flowers such as lavender (Lavandula spp.) and rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus).

Bumble Bee

(Bombus spp.) Social bees with robust, hairy bodies; effective pollinators, especially via buzz pollination; nest in cavities or underground; forage across cooler temperatures and early spring.

Leafcutter Bee

(Megachile spp.) Solitary bees that cut neat pieces of leaves to construct nests; efficient pollen collectors due to specialized abdominal hairs; pollinators of wildflowers and crops like alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and sunflowers.

Digger Bee

(Anthophora spp. ) Vibrant, fast-flying bees with dense body hairs; vital pollinators of wildflowers and Mediterranean plants; nest in soil, creating burrows in sandy or loose ground.

Banded Bee

(Amegilla spp.) Medium-sized bees with striped abdomens and a golden-brown head; nest in soil, soft sandstone, old mortar, or mud bricks.

Mining Bee

(Andrena spp.) Ground-nesting bees; build nests underground; key pollinators of fruit trees, blueberries, raspberries, and orchids.

Small White

(Pieris rapae) Common white butterfly; pollinates wildflowers and crops such as cabbages (Brassica oleracea) and radishes (Raphanus sativus); white wings with small black spots.

Painted Lady

(Vanessa cardui) Migratory butterfly; pollinates a wide range of plants including daisies (Bellis perennis) and clovers (Trifolium spp.).

Swallowtail

(Papilio machaon) Old World swallowtail; pollinates fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) and dill (Anethum graveolens); yellow wings with bold black patterns and blue/red spots near the tail; protected under European laws.

Scarce Swallowtail

(Iphiclides podalirius) Pollinates flowering shrubs like hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) and thyme (Thymus spp.); large pale yellow wings with black stripes and tail-like extensions.

Cleopatra

(Gonepteryx cleopatra)Key pollinator for Mediterranean plants such as lavender (Lavandula spp.) and rockrose (Cistus spp.); bright yellow wings with orange tint in males.

Red Admiral

(Vanessa atalanta)Pollinates ivy (Hedera helix) and nettles (Urtica dioica); black wings with red and white markings; migratory and adaptable to diverse habitats.

Orange-Tip

(Anthocharis cardamines)Pollinates wildflowers, especially in Brassicaceae; males have white wings with orange tips; green mottling on undersides; habitats include meadows and forest edges.

Mallow Skipper

(Carcharodus alceae)Pollinates mallow plants (Malva spp.) and other wildflowers; small, fast-flying; brown wings with a checkered pattern; prefers dry, sunny habitats.

Eastern Festoon

(Zerynthia cerisy)Pollinates a variety of Mediterranean scrubland plants; creamy yellow wings with intricate black, red, and blue markings; found in hilly, rocky wildflower-rich areas.

False Apollo

(Archon apollinus)Rare, localized butterfly; contributes to pollination in specialized warm, dry scrubby habitats; translucent wings with black and orange markings.

Common Blue

(Polyommatus icarus)Pollinates a variety of wildflowers in open grasslands; males have bright blue wings; females are brown with hints of blue and orange spots.

Jersey Tiger

(Euplagia quadripunctaria)Moth that pollinates under darkness; forewings with creamy white stripes and bold orange hindwings; habitats include gardens and coastal areas.

Hummingbird Hawk-moth

(Macroglossum stellatarum) Moth that pollinates a wide range of plants; can hover in flight like hummingbirds due to rapid wing movement; found in woodlands, gardens, meadows, and scrublands.

Meadow Brown

(Maniola jurtina)Butterfly whose fluffy hairs pick up pollen; rests with wings open due to eye spots on wings; habitats include meadows, scrub, and woodland edges.

Speckled Wood

(Pararge aegeria)Butterfly attracted to vibrant flowers; contributes to reproduction of various plants; dark brown with creamy yellow spots and multiple eyespots; found in sunny patches in shaded woodland and tall grass.

Giant Peacock Moth

(Saturnia pyri)Night pollinator of various plant species; large wings with eye-shaped spots for predator deterrence; habitat includes dry, hot open landscapes with Rosa family shrubs.

Ecologic