Fauna At The Garden
Pollinator Insects
Most common pollinator insects in Eastern Washington
In Eastern Washington, various bee species contribute to pollination, playing vital roles in the region's ecosystems and agricultural systems. Here are some pollinator bees commonly found in the area:
- Honeybees (Apis mellifera)
- Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)
- Mason bees (Osmia spp.)
- Sweat bees (Halictidae family)
- Carpenter bees (Xylocopa spp.)
- Mining bees (Andrenidae family)
- Leafcutter bees (Megachile spp.)
In Eastern Washington, several species of bumblebees act as important pollinators. Here are some pollinator bumblebee species commonly found in the region:
- Common Eastern Bumblebee (Bombus impatiens)
- Two-spotted Bumblebee (Bombus bimaculatus)
- Hunt's Bumblebee (Bombus huntii)
- Nevada Bumblebee (Bombus nevadensis)
- Western Bumblebee (Bombus occidentalis)
- Cascade Bumblebee (Bombus flavifrons)
- Black-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus melanopygus)
In Eastern Washington, several butterfly species act as pollinators, aiding in the reproduction of flowering plants. Here are some pollinator butterflies you might find in the region:
- Western Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio rutulus)
- Pale Swallowtail (Papilio eurymedon)
- Anise Swallowtail (Papilio zelicaon)
- Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)
- Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)
- Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)
- Sara Orangetip (Anthocharis sara)
- Hoary Comma (Polygonia gracilis)
- Silvery Blue (Glaucopsyche lygdamus)
- Western Meadow Fritillary (Boloria epithore)
Pollinator moths play an essential role in Eastern Washington's ecosystem, aiding in the pollination of various plants. Here are some pollinator moths you might find in the region:
- Hummingbird Clearwing Moth (Hemaris thysbe)
- White-lined Sphinx Moth (Hyles lineata)
- Snowberry Clearwing Moth (Hemaris diffinis)
- Grapeleaf Skeletonizer Moth (Harrisina americana)
- Western Sheepmoth (Hemileuca eglanterina)
- Large Tolype Moth (Tolype velleda)
- Western Pine Elfin Moth (Callophrys eryphon)
- Pink-edged Sulphur Moth (Colias interior)
- Virginia Creeper Sphinx Moth
- Garden Tiger Moth (Arctia caja)
In Eastern Washington, several species of flies act as pollinators, though they are often less recognized for this role compared to bees and butterflies. Here are some pollinator fly species commonly found in the region:
- Hoverflies (Family Syrphidae)
- Bee flies (Family Bombyliidae)
- Flower flies (Family Anthomyiidae)
- Tachinid flies (Family Tachinidae)
- Flesh flies (Family Sarcophagidae)
- Dance flies (Family Empididae)
- Soldier flies (Family Stratiomyidae)
- Robber flies (Family Asilidae)
In Eastern Washington, some beetle species contribute to pollination, although they are not as prominent as bees, butterflies, or flies in this role. Here are some beetle species commonly found in the region that may act as pollinators:
- Lower Longhorn Beetles (Family Cerambycidae)
- Scarab Beetles (Family Scarabaeidae)
- Bumble Flower Beetles (Family Anthicidae)
- Soldier Beetles (Family Cantharidae)
- Pleasing Fungus Beetles (Family Erotylidae)
- Checkered Beetles (Family Cleridae)
- Blister Beetles (Family Meloidae)
In Eastern Washington, certain species of wasps can also act as pollinators, although they are not as commonly recognized for this role as bees or butterflies. Here are some wasp species that may contribute to pollination in the region:
- Paper Wasps (Family Vespidae)
- Mud dauber wasps (Family Sphecidae)
- Potter Wasps (Family Vespidae)
- Sand Wasps (Family Crabronidae)
- Cuckoo Wasps (Family Chrysididae)
- Flower Wasps (Family Tiphiidae)
In Eastern Washington, various animals play a role in pollination alongside insects. Here are some examples:
Hummingbirds: Certain species of hummingbirds are found in Eastern Washington and are important pollinators, particularly for tubular flowers.
- Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus): This species is a common summer visitor to Eastern Washington. Rufous hummingbirds are known for their aggressive behavior and are often seen visiting tubular flowers for nectar, thereby facilitating pollination.
- Calliope Hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope): Calliope hummingbirds are the smallest breeding bird in North America and are also found in Eastern Washington. They are attracted to a variety of flowers and play a role in pollination as they feed on nectar.
- Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri): While less common than Rufous and Calliope hummingbirds in Eastern Washington, Black-chinned hummingbirds are occasionally spotted in the region during migration. They also contribute to pollination by visiting flowers for nectar.
Bats: While less common in Eastern Washington, some bat species are pollinators, particularly of night-blooming plants.
- Little Brown Bat (Myotis lucifugus): This species is one of the most widespread bats in North America, including parts of Eastern Washington. While not known as primary pollinators, they may occasionally aid in pollination by visiting flowers for nectar.
- Yuma Myotis (Myotis yumanensis): This species is found in parts of Washington State, though it's more commonly associated with habitats in the western United States. Like other bats, they may visit flowers for nectar and potentially aid in pollination.
Fauna Photographed At The Garden
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Honey Bee on a #17 blanket flower: Photographed by Ray Krontz, July 26, 2024
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A tiger swallowtail butterfly rests on a plant on 7/2/25. Photo by Deidra Walpole.
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A flop house for paper wasps and a smorgasbord for spiders.
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A tiger swallowtail butterfly rests on the Sumac bush on 6/28/25. Photo by Jack Carpenter.
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A tiger swallowtail butterfly rests on the Sumac bush on 6/28/25. Photo by Jack Carpenter.
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Blanket Flower (#17) with a honey bee. Photo by Wendy Mee, summer 2024
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Pale evening primrose (#59) with bumblebee. Photo by Wendy Mee, summer 2024
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Blue giant hyssop (#40) with honey bee. Photo by Wendy Mee, summer 2024.
- 1 bee on flower
- 2 Yellow and black swallowtail butterfly
- 3 Critter Hotel
- 4 A yellow and black tiger swallowtail butterfly on a leaf
- 5 A yellow and black tiger swallowtail butterfly on a leaf
- 6 yellow blanket flower with a honeybee
- 7 Pale evening primrose with bumblebee
- 8 Blue giant hyssop (#40) with honey bee.