2023-06-06 18:35:58
MADRID, 6 Jun. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Nocturnal pollinators, such as moths, can visit as many plants as bees, and also they should be the focus of conservation and protection efforts.
This is suggested by a new study from the University of Sheffield, published in Ecology Letters, who found that moths under the pressure of urbanization may also be less resilient than bees, due to their more complex life cycle and more specific plant requirements.
It also reveals that, despite this threat, moths play a crucial role in supporting urban plant communities, as they account for a third of all pollination in flowering plants, crops and trees.
The researchers suggest that when planning or redeveloping urban areas, supporting the introduction of plant species that are beneficial to moths, as well as bees, will become increasingly important for the health of urban ecosystems.
Dr Emilie Ellis, lead author from the Grantham Institute for Sustainable Futures at the University of Sheffield, and now from the Research Center for Ecological Change (REC) at the University of Helsinki, said: “Our study found that in more built-up areas the diversity of pollen that is generated transported by moths and bees decreases, which means urban pollinators may have fewer flower resources available to them.
“As moths and bees depend on plants for survival, plant populations also depend on insects for pollination. Protecting urban green spaces and ensuring they are developed in a way that goes beyond the exclusive conservation of bees, but also supports a wide variety of wildlife, will ensure that bee and moth populations remain resilient and that our towns and cities remain healthier and greener places.”
In the study, Dr. Ellis and her co-authors showed that bees and moths visit significantly different plant communities. Along with the usual pale, fragrant flower species that moths are known to frequent, the study showed that moths carried more pollen than previously thought. and visited more types of trees and fruit crops than previously identified.
In built-up areas, there can sometimes be an overabundance of non-native plant species, or just a general reduction in plant species diversity; this can result in lower insect interactions for less attractive plant species, which has negative effects on both plant and insect populations.
Ellis says the research demonstrates how crucial moths are in pollinating plants, including crops, and that the study has implications for wildlife-friendly gardening initiatives, urban planners, and policy makers responsible for developing urban green spaces for parks or urban horticulture.
“When planning green spaces, consideration must be given to ensuring that the plantation is diverse and respectful of moths and bees, to ensure that both our plants and insects remain resilient in the face of the climate crisis and future losses,” affirm.
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