Learn about pollinators
- Educational briefs outlining the diversity of Massachusetts 400 native bees, what they eat and how they live. By Bee Campus Committee member and UMass pollinator extension specialist Nicole Bell.
- A Checklist of the Bees of Massachusetts is a scientific journal article by Massachusetts bee experts including Bee Campus Committee member Joan Milam that documents all the bee species known from Massachusetts.
"Wasps, surprisingly cool pollinators" is an excellent article highlighting how important wasps are as pollinators and natural sources of pest control.
- "It’s a Bee! It’s a Wasp! No, It’s a Hover Fly!" is an article on hoverfly life cycles, an important and often overlooked pollinator from the South Dakota University Extension.
- "Syrphid Flies" is an article on the biology, and identification of hoverflies and tips on promoting these species in gardens.
- Butterfly species identification resource from Mass Audubon Butterfly Atlas.
- The Massachusetts Butterfly Club offers great information on butterfly identification, conservation and gardening under the “Butterfly Information” tab.
- Guide from Mass Audubon on common bees and wasps and tips for how to coexist and care for them.
- A great collection of pollinator identification guides by the Tufts Pollinator Initiative.
Learn about native plants and gardening for pollinators
Pollinator-Friendly Native Plant Lists
| Lists developed by the Xerces Society for Insect Conservation for each major US region. Includes plants that are used as food sources by adult pollinators, host plants for caterpillars and plants that provide nesting habitat for wild bees. |
Native Shrubs and Trees for Pollinator Conservation in Massachusetts | List developed by Jarrod Fowler and Mace Vaughan of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation in 2016. Includes native trees and shrubs that benefit pollinators, information on bloomtime, and basic siting needs. |
Pollen Specialist Bees of the Eastern United States
| List of pollen specialist bees of the Eastern United States and which plants they use, developed by Jared Fowler and Sam Droege. |
Interested in ways beyond pollinator gardens to support bees in your yard/campus/neighborhood? Check out this article on the work of Bee Campus committee members Susannah Lerman and Joan Milam on how mowing your lawn less can benefit wild bees. | |
Overview of the work of UMass Professor Lynn Adler’s lab on the medicinal benefits of sunflower pollen for bees. | |
Interested in supporting moths and butterflies? Check out this article on soft landings developed by Heather Holm in consultation with former UMass researchers Desiree Narango and Elsa Cousins. | |
Resource on gardening for butterflies. | |
Plant lists for school and home gardens across the Eastern US. Plant recommendations for butterflies and other pollinators. |
Nasami Farm - Whatley, MA | Excellent retailer of native plants grown from local seed sources. Do not use any systemic insecticides, uses biocontrol as their first line of defense against pests. |
New England Wetland Plants - Hadley, MA | Excellent wholesale supplier of native plants for habitat restoration projects. Do not use any systemic insecticides, very limited use of organic pesticides. |
Massachusetts Pollinator Network - How to shop for native plants and seeds | The Massachusetts Pollinator Network has recommendations on how to find native plants and if you scroll to the bottom of the page a link to an extensive list of native plant suppliers in the Massachusetts region and beyond. |
Lists of additional native plant vendors in Massachusetts compiled by Bee Campus committee member and UMass pollinator extension specialist Nicole Bell. |