10 Buzz-Worthy pollinator facts
Look at the fruit in your kitchen or the flowers outside the window. Much of it exists because a pollinator did its job. Some scientists estimate that one out of every three bites of food we eat exists because of animal pollinators.
Pollination happens when insects travel from flower to flower in search of nectar. As they feed, pollen dust sticks to their bodies and rubs off on the next bloom. That simple exchange allows plants to produce fruit and seeds.
Without pollinators, many crops and wildflowers would disappear. Fewer pollinators mean fewer apples, pumpkins and berries, and fewer native plants that support birds and other wildlife. Honey bees get most of the attention, but they’re only part of the story.
Worldwide, more than 20,000 bee species, along with thousands of moths, butterflies, wasps, flies and beetles help move pollen from plant to plant. Illinois alone is home to about 500 native bee species, including 11 kinds of bumble bees, all doing their part in pollination.
You can see that story unfold at the Dunn Museum in Libertyville. “For the Love of Pollinators,” presented in partnership with The Bee Collective of Columbus, Ohio, brings together more than 30 sculptural works from around the world. The artwork was created with the help of honey bees.
The exhibition runs through May 31 and explores both the beauty of these insects and their role in our food supply, prairies and backyard gardens.
It also spotlights species native to Lake County and offers simple ways residents can support them at home.
“Pollinators support the plants, wildlife and ecosystems we all depend on,” Forest Preserves President Jessica Vealitzek said. “This exhibition shows how thoughtful land care and everyday actions can help them thrive.”
Here are 10 pollinator facts you can discover in the exhibit.
1. Bees aren’t out to sting you.
If a bee buzzes past, don’t panic. Most are busy collecting nectar and pollen. A sting is a last resort, used only when a bee feels threatened or its nest is disturbed. Since most species are solitary and have no hive to defend, they rarely sting. Stay calm and still, and it will likely fly away.
2. A bee that nearly vanished is showing signs of hope.
Just a few decades ago, the rusty patched bumble bee was common across the Midwest. It has since disappeared from more than 90% of the places it once lived and in 2017 became the first bee in the continental U.S. to be listed as federally endangered. Since 2020, Forest Preserves staff and volunteers have documented more than 100 observations across 20 preserves, a hopeful sign that this rare pollinator may be rebounding.
3. Before you start spring cleanup, pause.
The leaves in your garden and yard have been winter shelter for pollinators. Some spent the cold months as eggs on stems. Others hid in leaf litter or just under the soil. Dried plants and fallen leaves help protect them from freezing temperatures. In early spring, wait until you see a few inches of new green growth before cutting back last year’s plants.
4. The night shift takes over.
When bees go to bed, moths clock in. Some, such as hawk moths, are built for the job. They have some of the longest tongues of any butterfly or moth and hover like hummingbirds as they sip nectar, reaching deep into flowers other insects can’t. Moths often visit white or light-colored blooms, which are easier to spot in the dark.
5. From prairie to photo lab.
Many of the detailed images in the exhibit were taken by local volunteer photographer Dale Shields. He spends hours volunteering in the field alongside Forest Preserves’ ecologists, looking for insects in their natural habitat and then photographing them up close to reveal details most of us would never notice. His work helps scientists identify species and better understand the environments they depend on.
6. From farmland to pollinator hot spot.
Just 20 years ago, Pine Dunes Forest Preserve in Antioch was mostly farmland, shaped by more than a century of drainage and plowing. Today, thanks to a carefully planned mix of native plants, it has become one of Lake County’s most diverse sites for bumble bee and other species. Restoration has transformed former fields into habitat buzzing with life.
7. The bee that traveled the world.
Native to Europe, Africa and parts of Asia, honey bees were brought by European settlers to most continents for honey, wax and crop pollination. Hives were shipped from England to the American colonies. Their secret code is a waggle dance, a precise set of movements that directs other workers to blooming flowers.
8. Built to shake things up.
Bumble bees are expert “buzz pollinators.” By vibrating their flight muscles, they shake pollen loose from flowers other bees can’t easily pollinate, including tomatoes and blueberries. Their wings move in a figure-eight pattern, helping them carry nearly their own weight in pollen and nectar.
9. A colony built to last.
A honey bee queen can live three to five years and lay up to 2,000 eggs a day. At peak season, a colony may number 10,000 to 60,000 bees. They build permanent wax combs inside tree cavities or managed hives to raise young and store pollen and honey. In winter, they huddle for warmth and live off the honey stored during the busy months.
10. A simple recipe for more pollinators.
Want more bees and butterflies in your yard? Start with a steady buffet. Plant native flowers that bloom from early spring through late fall so something is always on the menu. Add a shallow dish of clean water if no natural source is nearby.
The next time you reach for a piece of fruit or notice flowers in bloom, you may see pollinators a little differently. Their work is quiet but essential, unfolding every day in Lake County’s forest preserves and backyards. Learn more about the exhibition at LCFPD.org/exhibits.
• Kim Mikus is a communications specialist for the Lake County Forest Preserves. She writes a bimonthly column about various aspects of the preserves. Contact her with ideas or questions at kmikuscroke@LCFPD.org. Connect with the Lake County Forest Preserves on social media @LCFPD.