Non-bee insects are important contributors to global crop pollination
Abstract
Many of the world's crops are pollinated by insects, and bees are often assumed to be the most important pollinators. To our knowledge, our study is the first quantitative evaluation of the relative contribution of non-bee pollinators to global pollinator-dependent crops. Across 39 studies we show that insects other than bees are efficient pollinators providing 39% of visits to crop flowers. A shift in perspective from a bee-only focus is needed for assessments of crop pollinator biodiversity and the economic value of pollination. These studies should also consider the services provided by other types of insects, such as flies, wasps, beetles, and butterflies—important pollinators that are currently overlooked.
- Publication:
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Proceedings of the National Academy of Science
- Pub Date:
- January 2016
- DOI:
- Bibcode:
- 2016PNAS..113..146R