What do Pollinators do?
Many plants need a little help to produce seeds — an essential step if a species is to survive. In order
for some types of plants to produce fruit and seeds, pollen from the stamen (the male part) of one
flower needs to move to the pistil (the female part) of another flower. This process is called pollination.
Sometimes this movement occurs with the help of natural forces like wind or water. However, many
flowers rely on animals called pollinators to help with the delivery.
POLLINATION FUN FACTS
Pollinators may also eat some of the protein and vitamin-rich pollen, but plants produce plenty to share. This partnership is a win-win for both the plant and the pollinator.
POLLINATION FUN FACTS
The Pollinator Partnership (https://www.pollinator.org) estimates there are more than 200,000
species of beneficial insects, including flies, beetles, wasps, ants, butterflies, moths, and bees,
that help transport pollen. Additionally, they estimate there are close to 1,000 larger pollinators,
including birds, bats, and other small mammals.
Activities - Step 1 - First Set
As part of the Pollinator Patch Step 1, please complete either Activities 1 or 2 below.
Have fun.
Activity 1 - COLOR THE ANATOMY OF A FLOWER
(Click the link below to get the picture to color.)
Although flowers look very different, they all share the same basic parts.
Most flowers have:
- A pistil which includes the stigma and style leading down to the ovary where seeds are formed.
- Stamens made up of anthers (where pollen is held) and filaments.
In order for the flower to produce seeds, pollen must move from the anther to the stigma.
To lure pollinators, such as honeybees, flowers produce sugary nectar in special glands called nectaries, often located at the base of the petals.
As pollinators work their way in toward the nectaries to take a sip, they brush up against the anthers, and some of the sticky pollen grains adhere to their bodies.
When they visit the next flower, they unintentionally but fortuitously transfer some of the pollen.
Activity 2 - MAKE YOUR OWN FLOWER
You can make flowers from any craft materials available to you, such as those suggested below.
Using the ‘Anatomy of a Flower’ handout as a guide, make sure your flower includes petals, sepals, pistil, stamens, and pollen.
Be creative about what each
structure looks like.
For example, you can color and draw patterns on your petals, vary the length and position of pistils, or change the number and arrangement of the stamens.
After making your flower, explain how the pollen from the stamen will move
to the pistil. Will it be blown by the wind? Or, will it require a pollinator to help — and if so, what type of pollinator?
Possible Materials Needed
Assorted craft materials such as construction paper, pipe cleaners, feathers,
cotton balls, straws, toothpicks and glitter.
Crafting tools including tape or glue, crayons, markers, and scissors.
Activities - Step 1 - Second Set
As part of the Pollinator Patch Step 1, please also complete either Activities 3 or 4 below.
Keep having fun.
Activity 3 - POLLINATOR PREFERENCE CHART
(Click the link below to get the Pollinator Preference Chart.)
Because attracting pollinators is so important to the survival of plants, flowers have evolved ways to draw their attention. Along with the promise of food, flower petals are often brightly colored and/or patterned and may be broad and flat to provide good “landing pads.” Scent can also provide a means of attraction. Many night-blooming flowers like yuccas and moonflowers give off a pleasant, fruity scent to attract moths and bats. Other flowers, such as trilliums, smell like rotting meat to attract flies.
Use the Pollinator Preference Chart in the Resource Section to talk about the flower characteristics that attract some of our common pollinators.
Activity 4 - PLAY THE FLOWER-POLLINATOR PAIRING GAME
There are many different animal species that help with pollination. Use the Pollinator and Flower Profile Cards in the Resource Section to play the Flower-Pollinator Pairing Game.
Note: Make enough copies so that everyone in your group (or family) has either a Flower Card or a Pollinator Card (you may have duplicates, but make sure each Pollinator Card has a matching Flower Card).
1. With each child holding a card, invite the Pollinators and Flowers to mingle and compare the clues on their cards to discover which flowers have the traits that specific pollinators like.
2. Based on the clues, have them record the names of the pollinators or flowers they think make good partners, on the back of their cards (answer key is also in the resource section).
3. When everyone is done, discuss what they’ve learned.