By Kelly Vowels
Night Doesn’t Mean the End of Pollination
Pollination doesn’t stop when the sun goes down. In fact, many plants are pollinated at night by bats, moths, bees, beetles, mice, and more. This nighttime pollination is easily overlooked, but many plants would not be pollinated at all if it weren’t for these nocturnal visitors.
The Importance of Moths
Scientists have found that moths can be more efficient pollinators than daytime bees and butterflies. Moths are usually the best-known night pollinators and some of the most studied. In the United States, there are over 11,000 species of moths, and more than 599 species have been documented right here in Bernheim Forest.
Some plants are dependent on just one pollinator. The yucca plant, for example, depends completely on the yucca moth (Tegeticula yuccasella). These species cannot survive without each other. After mating, the female yucca moth visits several flowers of the yucca, collecting pollen that she uses to pollinate a single flower. She then lays her eggs inside that flower. The flower produces fruit and seeds, which the larva will later feed upon.
Bats: Nocturnal Pollination Specialists
Moths aren’t the only pollinators working at night. Bats also play an important role. More than 500 plants around the world rely on bats for pollination, including mango, banana, guava, and agave. Most of the pollinating bats in the United States live in the Southwest. The lesser long‑nosed bat (Leptonycteris yerbabuena), found in Mexico and the southwestern U.S., is a vital pollinator for cacti and agave. Sadly, it is listed as endangered.
Researchers are worried that climate change may be affecting the timing of bat migration. The saguaro cactus is blooming earlier, before the bats arrive, and the plants aren’t getting pollinated. Here at Bernheim, our bats are insectivores, meaning they primarily feed on insects and pollinate by accident. Insect‑eating bats aren’t as effective as dedicated pollinators, but they may still play a role. An insect‑eating species called the pallid bat has been found to aid in the pollination of certain cactus species, showing how much we still have to learn about nighttime pollination.
Beetles, Fireflies, and Small Mammals
Beetles are another group of nocturnal pollinators. They were one of the first insects to pollinate flowers and continue to pollinate ancient plant species such as magnolia and spicebush. Fireflies, too, may be important pollinators, visiting flowers in a way that doesn’t damage them.
Even small mammals like mice, shrews, and other rodents can play a role. They visit flowers at night and can help pollinate certain species as they move from bloom to bloom.
Helping Nocturnal Pollinators
Unfortunately, many night pollinators face serious threats. Habitat loss, light pollution, climate change, and pesticide use put pressure on the ecosystems that support them.
You can help protect these amazing pollinators. Try turning off outdoor lights when you don’t need them, reduce or eliminate pesticide use in your yard, and plant a wide variety of flowers and native plants to attract a range of pollinators—both day and night. These simple steps can make a big difference in keeping the hidden world of night pollination alive and thriving.
