Author Archives: George@PW

About half of the insect population is nocturnal, so your outdoor lights may be contributing the the plummeting insect population numbers. We are all aware of how pesticides and industrial pollution are destroying insect habitat, but artificial light at night is affecting nocturnal life cycles, and harming nocturnal insects. Read the full article here

We all love our butterflies because of their beauty and the services they perform as pollinators. Even though a given butterfly is unlikely to be an efficient pollinator, the sheer number of butterflies and moths result in a significant pollinator contribution. So it may be surprising to learn that caterpillars are a star for aContinue reading “Caterpillars a Keystone Food Source”

Small garden, no problem, no garden, plant in pots! In urban settings, small contributions can have significant benefits to Pollinators. “The types of plants that gardeners chose to grow did matter, however. The researchers found that shrubs provided 58 percent of nectar, since they condense many flowers into a smaller space. Daisies were also helpfulContinue reading “Small Gardens Can Make a Large Difference”

Current and projected climate change may have significant impacts on biodiversity and other resources. Corridors and buffers may potentially affect these impacts in several ways. “Corridors may be of limited value for biodiversity if climate change occurs at a rate too fast to allow for migration and may end up just benefiting species that areContinue reading “Climate Change and Corridors”

In urban areas, development has fragmented pollinator resources. Homeowners, renters, businesses and governments can all contribute to connecting these resources with patches, corridors and stepping stones. For terrestrial species, habitat loss and fragmentation represent the primary threats to biodiversity. Biodiversity simply means the variety of life on Earth. Humanity is highly dependent on biodiversity, because a diversity ofContinue reading “Connecting Pollinator Areas”

Stepping stones and patches are small areas of pollinator habitat that ensure that insects have nectar and host plants as they move through our urban environment. “Small patches can serve as stepping stones, allowing for species movement between large patches and are important in fragmented landscapes.”

But great for butterflies and people too! “If Arizona’s hummingbirds could vote on a state flower, it would be Chuparosa (Justicia californica).” Given adequate water, Chuparosa will bloom year round. Also attracts butterflies and is the host plant for the Texan Crescentspot. Chuparosa blossoms are a fun addition to salads, too, as they taste like cucumbers! 

Leucophyllum, commonly called Texas Sage, are among the most reliable and fool-proof of the low water use plants available in Arizona. In the past twenty years, many new species and varieties have been brought into cultivation. The dozen-odd species are often called “sages”, although they have no relationship to the genus Salvia. Leucophyllum shrubs are legendary forContinue reading “Lynne’s Legacy Texas Sage”

If your looking to plant a lot of pollinator punch in your yard, the Asteraceae family acts as hosts to a wide variety of butterflies, including: Cabbage White, Common Buckeye, Common Checkered Skipper, Dainty Sulphur, Fiery Skipper, Painted Lady, Pearl Crescent, Red Admiral, Hackberry Emperor, Tawny Emperor Commonly referred to as the aster, daisy, composite, or sunflower family, mostContinue reading “Flower Power: Asteraceae”

There is a groundcover species Conoclinium greggii, and a shrubby one, Chromolaena odorata; both have an alkaloid in their nectar that Monarchs and Queens use to attract mates. Add a host plant and let the party get started :-). “If you were given the choice of only choosing one plant with the purpose of attractingContinue reading “Nectar Powerhouse: Gregg’s Mistflower”

Once known as Acacia, this genus has morphed into a dizzying number of genus. Part of the pea family, Fabaceae. “The flowers are usually yellow but occasionally white and have many stamens apiece, giving each one a fuzzy appearance. The fruits are legumes and are highly variable in appearance, depending on the species. Acacias are often confusedContinue reading “Acacias, Vachellia, Snegalia, Mariosousa, Acaciella, oh my!”

On a cold November day in 2020, I moved a Queen caterpillar indoors to save it from nighttime freezing temperatures. It was feeding on A. subulata (Desert Milkweed), so I replenished a stock of stems and flowers daily… The next day the caterpillar became a chrysalis. Nine days later the chrysalis turned dark burgundy, andContinue reading “The Making of a Queen”

In December 2020 I started some Asclepias subulata seeds. They started germinating surprisingly quickly, and within a week seedlings were peaking above the peat pods. I recommend starting the seeds in March so the seedlings can go in the ground immediately; they don’t like their roots disturbed. The great thing about Desert Milkweed seeds isContinue reading “Germinating Desert Milkweed”

The Phoenix Desert Botanical Garden is helping Monarch and Queen butterflies with this initiative, with a focus on propagation, expanding Monarch habitat and finding the best native milkweeds to support Monarch and pollinator populations. More Info

Monarch Monarch butterflies are one of the most iconic species in North America. It is distinguished by bold black lines that give the top of the wings a stained glass appearance. Two other butterflies are similar in appearance – the Viceroy and the Queen Host Plant: Milkweed Nectar Plants: Wide variety More Information: 1 2Continue reading “The Stages of the Monarch Butterfly”

Queen The Queen butterfly at first glance looks very similar to the Monarch, but the adult Queen has white dots in the margins and the caterpillar has a third set of filaments. Host Plant: Milkweed Nectar Plants: Wide variety More Info: 1 2 3

“You might already know about some of the ecosystem services birds provide, for instance pollinating your favorite fruits. Here are a few of the more surprising ways birds (metaphorically) keep the world turning.” Bird poop is an important fertilizer They move beneficial spores around They distribute plant seeds They’re pest predators They’re nests create habitat They reduceContinue reading “The Importance of Birds”

Welcome to the Pollinator Web blog! This blog focuses on pollinators and the cast of supporters, like host and nectar plants, as well as how to create your own patch of pollinator paradise. As you explore this site, hover your mouse over titles, plant and insect names, and photo captions – many of them areContinue reading “PW Blog”