Although moths work at night, they are more efficient pollinators than diurnal species such as bees. According to new research published March 29 in the journal of the University of Sussex (UK) Plos One.
The finding that moths are particularly vital pollinators for nature, Widespread concern about drastic decline in wild pollinating insectslike bees and butterflies, the planet suffers. The loss of pollinating species also poses a threat to the world’s own food production.
Studying 10 different sites in southeast England during July 2021, Sussex researchers found that 83% of insect visits to blackberry blossoms occurred during the day. Although moths make fewer visits during summer nights (which are also shorter), which account for only 15% of visits, the reality is they pollinated the flowers faster.
As a result, the researchers concluded: Moths are more efficient pollinators than diurnal insects such as bees., traditionally known as a “worker” type. Although diurnal insects have more time to pollinate, moths are unexpectedly productive during the short hours of darkness.
Moths work more in less time
Professor Fiona Mathews, Professor of Environmental Biology at the University of Sussex and co-author of this latest research, said: “Bees are certainly important, but our work has shown that moths pollinate flowers faster than daytime flying insects. “Unfortunately many moths are in serious decline in the UK, which affects not only pollination but also the food supply of many other species, from bats to birds.”
The researchers studied the different contributions of nocturnal and nocturnal insects to blackberry pollination. Using camera traps, they tracked the number of insects visiting the flowers and calculated how quickly pollen accumulates at different times of the day.. To do this, they experimentally prevented insects from visiting some flowers, but not others.
Additionally, the study highlights the importance of the blackberry, a shrub that is often seen as a nuisance and is actually routinely removed, but is actually a vital shrub for night pollinators.
Max Anderson, who worked with Professor Mathews during the research, says: “Moths are important pollinators and are underappreciated and understudied. Most pollination research tends to focus on flying insects during the day, and little is known about what happens at night.”.
“Now that we know that moths are also important pollinators, we must take steps to support them by encouraging certain blackberries and other flowering shrub plants to grow in our parks, gardens, roadside gardens and hedges.”
Fundamentals of world nutrition
Pollinating insects are a vital part of many ecological communities and an important part of the natural ecosystem. They allow plants to produce fruit, form seeds and reproduce. This, in turn, provides food and habitat for a variety of other creatures. Therefore, the health of our ecosystems is fundamentally linked to bees and other pollinators. But, There is an overall decline in wild pollinators, largely due to climate change and intensive agriculture.
This research shows that both night-flying and day-flying pollinators must be protected for the development of natural ecosystems and thus food production. As a result, the researchers are asking the British public to protect the moths by planting flowers, growing weeds and coarse grass, and turning off nighttime lights.
Reference work: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0281810
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