Pollination and Fertilization

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to pollination and fertilization, highlighting the roles of different species and ecological factors.

Pollination

The act of pollen landing on the stigma of a flower.

Fertilization

The fusion of male genetic information with an egg in the ovary.

• The result

Aids to Pollination

Factors that assist in the pollination process, such as wind, birds, and mammals.

• Bears are popular pollinators

Top Hummingbird Plants

Flowers that are attractively colored and high in nectar, ideal for hummingbirds.

Nativars

Cultivars derived from locally sourced native species with natural variations or hybrids.

Benefits of Nativars

Advantages such as retaining ecological benefits of natives while being adaptable to landscaping.

Importance of Native Insects

Birds primarily depend on native insects, such as caterpillars, for feeding their young.

Impact of Habitat Loss

Urbanization and insect decline significantly affect bird populations.

Guidelines for Attracting Wildlife

Strategies to create a favorable landscape for wildlife, focusing on soil and diverse plant selection.

Pollinator Targets

Specific plants chosen to attract pollinators by providing nectar and pollen.

Native Bee Pollination

The primary pollinators for 75% of North American plants.

Honey Bee

Social bees known for working together, scientific name Apis mellifera.

Bumblebee

A semi-social bee that contributes to pollination.

Solitary Bees

Bees that independently search for resources as opposed to living in colonies.

Invasive Plant Species

Non-native plants that threaten local ecosystems and biodiversity.

Pollinator Diversity

The variety of species involved in pollination, including bees, butterflies, and flies.

Factors Reducing Pollination

Habitat loss, disease, urbanization, and pesticide use contribute to pollinator decline.

Continuous Bloom

Planting a variety of flowers to ensure that nectar and pollen are available throughout the growing season.

Double Flower Selections

Cultivars with double flowers that may result in negative insect behavior.

Echinacea

A flower species that can exhibit varying characteristics based on cultivars.

Wing Beat in Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds can beat their wings over 80 times per second.

Heart Rate in Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds have a heart rate of 1260 beats per minute.

Bird Population Decline

A decrease of 3 billion birds (29%) in North America since 1970.

Caterpillar Requirement

5000 caterpillars are needed to feed one clutch of chickadees.

Pollination Dependency in Crops

80% of crop plants require pollination by animals.

Hoverfly

A type of fly involved in pollinating a significant portion of food crops.

Flower Color Preferences

Colors like red or orange are commonly attractive to hummingbirds.

Reduced Insect Feeding on Nativars

Some studies show that certain nativars may lead to reduced insect feeding.

Hummingbird Migration Behavior

Males typically migrate first to impress females with new territory.

Variety in Plant Selection

Diverse plant choices help create a balanced ecosystem and attract a wider range of wildlife.

Plant Architecture

The structural characteristics of plants that can influence pollinator attraction.

Beetles

• Long history of pollination

• Popular with Magnolias & Water Lilies

% of butterflies and moths are at risk of extinction in the US

19%

Involved in pollinating 72% of world food crops

Hoverfly

Involved in pollinating 70% of wildflowers

Flies

How many bee and fly species pollinate apples?

25 species

Pollen is very high in

Protein

Bees collect nectar for …

Themselves

What is a key factor for attracting wildlife?

Soil

Multilayered Landscape

Trees, shrubs, etc.

• Appeal to different birds

Birds feed their young primarily insects - mostly …

Caterpillars

80% of Hummingbird diet is

Insects and spiders

Advantages of nativars

Retains ecological benefits of natives more adaptable to current landscaping trends

Disadvantages of nativars

Possible negative effects on local birds and insects

Doug Tallamy, University of Delaware did a study on what?

10 Native plants with nativars selected for:

• Growth habit

• Enhanced fruiting

• Leaf variegation

• Colored leaves

• Disease resistance

What were the results of Doug Tallamy’s study?

• Burgundy leaved nativars: Reduced insect feeding

• Variegated Leaves: Insect feeding went up

• All others: No difference

Annie White, from University of Vermont studied

Floral changes of nativars resulting in negative insect behavior

Echinacea

Flower colors, double flowers, smaller plant sizes

__ different crop plants require pollination by animals

1120 (80%)

How many species of wild bees are there in the US alone?

4000

% of North American plants are pollinated by native bees

75%

% of Solitary bees are pollen specialists

20-45%

• They only collect pollen from one Species or Genus

• Native bees are the primary pollinator in most crop plants