Meet the Insects That Pollinate Your Favorite Fall Foods

You have probably heard us at Xerces talk about protecting pollinators: bees, butterflies, and other bugs that help flowering plants reproduce by moving pollen from one flower to another. The United States alone grows more than 100 crops that either need or benefit from pollinators, and the economic value of these native pollinators is estimated at $3 billion per year (in just that one country).

That also means that many of our favorite seasonal foods are available with help from hardworking pollinators! With several holiday meals coming up, whether we prepare for feasts or simply a weeknight meal using seasonal fare, it is worth taking a moment to meet the insects that help make these foods possible!