Insects Foraging on Pearl Millet, Cenchrus americanus, Pollen1

Crop plants are pollinated by bees (72.7%), wasps (5.2%), bats (6.5%), butterflies (1.5%), moths (2.9%), flies (18.8%), beetles (5.1%), birds (4.1%), and thrips (1.3%) (Nabhan and Buchmann 1997, Services provided by pollinators, Pp. 133-150.In Daily, G.C. (ed.), Nature's Services: Societal Dependence on Natural Ecosystems.Island Press, Washington, DC).Of the bees, honey bees were confirmed pollinators of 15.5% of crops.Although bees provide the most pollinator services, many bees are in decline due to loss of floral abundance and diversity, loss in suitable habitat, long-term exposure to pesticides, species introductions, and infection by parasites and pathogens (Potts et al. 2016, Nature 540: 220-229; Rhodes 2018, Sci.Prog.101(2): 121-160).Human efforts to aid bees focus on the planting of nectar-rich plants but rarely promote wind-pollinated crops that mainly provide only pollen (Saunders 2018, Insect Conserv.Divers.11: 13-31).Despite frequent statements that grasses have no value to bees and other pollinators, bees and syrphid flies have been documented feeding on the pollen of at least 51 grass genera and are commonly seen collecting or consuming pollen from staple crops such as sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.)