All kinds of pollinators are important since many plants need their pollinators to produce the fruits and vegetables we eat. Many of our native plant species also rely on pollinators to reproduce.

Unfortunately, the pollinators that we rely on are declining globally and especially at risk are Butterflies, like the Monarch Butterfly and Bumble Bees, like the Federally Endangered Rusty Patched Bumble Bee. Both are threatened by habitat loss and by the increasing use of certain insecticides called neonicotinoids in gardens and on crops.

Fortunately YOU can help because both these declining species live right here in Northfield!

Did you know?

• The rusty patched bee is the State Bumble Bee of Minnesota.
• Monarchs fly thousands of miles to get to our state.
• Bumble bees are famous for their ability to fly and pollinate plants in cold weather due to their large size and fuzzy bodies.
• Monarchs rely on one group of plants, the milkweeds, to lay their eggs and reproduce.
• Bumble bees are efficient pollinators because they “buzz” pollinate by holding onto parts of the flower with their mouths and vibrating. This makes the pollen explode out of the flower.
• Monarchs need to stop on their journey to collect the high quality nectar they need to migrate.
• Honeybees are also good pollinators but are not native to North America. They came from Europe with settlers and now live on their own in the wild (and in hives that we build for them).