Pollinators of KCW!
Every year, Pollinator Week is observed worldwide from June 22 to 28 to raise awareness of the importance of pollinators and the need to protect them. Though they are often small and unnoticed, pollinators play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity, supporting ecosystems, and ensuring food security.
Pollinators transfer pollen from one flower to another, enabling plants to produce fruits, seeds, and future generations. While wind and water contribute to pollination in some plants, nearly 90% of flowering plant species depend on animal pollinators. From the fruits we eat to the biodiversity we enjoy, pollinators are fundamental to life on Earth. Their contribution to agriculture is equally remarkable. Nearly 75% of the world's food crops benefit from animal pollination. Fruits, vegetables, nuts, spices, and oilseed crops rely on pollinators to maintain both yield and quality. Without them, food production and ecosystem stability would be severely affected.
When we think of pollinators, bees usually receive all the attention and rightly so. However, pollination is a shared responsibility. Wasps, flies, moths, beetles, butterflies, and even some ants visit flowers in search of nectar and pollen, inadvertently carrying pollen grains between flowers. Together, these diverse insects form an invisible workforce that keeps ecosystems functioning.
This diversity of pollinators is not restricted to forests and agricultural fields. Surprisingly, pollinators can also be found in urban environments, gardens, and educational institutions. A recent entomological survey conducted by II M.Sc. Zoology students in our campus documented a remarkable diversity of insects and their associated host plants. Among them were several important pollinators and flower-visiting insects.
One of the most familiar pollinators observed on campus was the Rock Bee (Apis dorsata), a highly efficient pollinator that supports the reproduction of numerous flowering plants. Alongside bees, other insects were also found interacting closely with campus vegetation.
The Indian Paper Wasp (Ropalidia marginata) was observed on the Peepal tree (Ficus religiosa). Adult paper wasps feed on nectar and frequently visit flowers, making them occasional pollinators.
The Blue Mud-Dauber Wasp (Chalybion bengalense) was recorded on Yellow-vein Eranthemum (Pseuderanthemum carruthersii). While best known as a predator of spiders, adult mud-dauber wasps depend on nectar and contribute to pollination during their feeding activities.
The Indian Owlet Moth (Spirama retorta) was observed on Jungle Geranium (Ixora coccinea). Moths are often called the “night shift” pollinators because many species visit flowers after sunset, continuing the pollination process when bees and butterflies are inactive.
Black Carpenter Ants (Camponotus compressus) were observed on Tamarind (Tamarindus indica) and Peepal (Ficus religiosa). Although ants are not considered major pollinators, they frequently interact with flowers and other plant structures and form an important part of the ecological network that supports biodiversity.
Even insects that we rarely associate with pollination, such as certain flies, mosquitoes, and wasps, depend on nectar as an energy source. Their interactions with flowers demonstrate that pollination is not the work of a single species but the result of a complex community of organisms working together.
The relationship between plants and insects on our campus is a beautiful example of coexistence. In today's rapidly changing world, this relationship faces increasing threats. Climate change, habitat loss, urbanization, pesticide use, and pollution are affecting pollinator populations across the globe. Rising temperatures can alter flowering seasons, disrupt plant-pollinator interactions, and reduce the availability of food resources for insects. The decline of pollinators ultimately affects plant diversity, agricultural productivity, and ecosystem stability.
This is why celebrating Pollinator Week is more important than ever. It reminds us that protecting pollinators is not simply about conserving insects; it is about safeguarding the natural systems that sustain life on Earth. Educational institutions can play an important role by creating pollinator-friendly habitats, maintaining diverse vegetation, reducing pesticide use, and encouraging students to appreciate biodiversity around them.
As we celebrate Pollinator Week 2026, let us take a moment to observe the tiny visitors around us. These small creatures may seem insignificant, but they are among nature's most important workers. After all, a world without pollinators would be a world with fewer flowers, fewer fruits, and far less life.