SUPPORTING NATIVE PLANTS AND THEIR INSECT POLLINATORS

Gardeners, in cities and elsewhere, can help sustain locally native plants and insects. Gardens for Wildlife Victoria commissioned research (Mumaw & Mata, 2021) to better understand how wildlife gardening can contribute to the wellbeing of wildlife gardeners, indigenous plant species, and their insect pollinators.

Here we showcase information from that work that we hope will be of use to wildlife gardeners, indigenous plant nurseries, and anyone interested in indigenous plants and insect pollinators. The research included surveys across a calendar year of indigenous plant species provided by four indigenous plant nurseries supplying wildlife gardening programs in greater Melbourne. Many of these species are found across Victoria.

A photo of an epacris impressa plant with white flowers

A list of indigenous plant nurseries that supply some Gardens for Wildlife programs in Victoria can be found below:

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Insect pollinators found on indigenous plants in the research 

The research tracked insects found on the reproductive organs of flowers of 37 indigenous plant species across a year. Most of the observed insects are recognised as pollinators. Native insect species (36) were more frequently seen than introduced species (7). Most of the plant species were seen with both indigenous and introduced insect pollinators, but a few were associated with only one or the other group. The European honeybee was the most frequently observed species, followed by native sweat bees and hoverflies. Native sweat bees and grass blue butterflies were found across the greatest diversity of studied plant species (see Mumaw & Mata, 2021, pp 42-48 for details)

To see an illustration of the number of native insect species found on each of the studied plant species, please click on the plant name in the Table Below. Which will display a photo of a plant and one of the insect species, and a graphic of its flowering period.

High Performing Indigenous plants for attracting native insect pollinators:

Based on the large number of insect pollinator species they are associated with, the following native plant palette is well placed to bring and support insect pollinators in wildlife gardens:

For a full list of plants that have been found to attract native insect pollinators, please look at the larger table below:

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© 2021 Gardens for Wildlife Victoria