What are the first insects that come to mind when you think of nighttime? Are they fireflies? Mosquitoes? Moths? Something else? While Illinois Extension gears up for Pollinator Week, taking place June 15-21, we want to be sure we give deserved attention to the pollinators who may not get much credit: the nocturnal ones.
There are many flowers that bloom in the late evening hours to early morning light, and they need to be pollinated, too! Examples are evening primroses, Adam’s needle, rattlesnake master, evening campion, moon flower and buttonbush. These flowers are often white or another light shade easily visible at night, and often reflect colors on the UV spectrum that humans can’t see but insects can. These plants may flower during the day as well, but night pollination is just as important to them as the pollination that may happen during the day.
Let’s get this out of the way: We can’t ignore that some night bugs are downright annoying. Mosquitoes are around during the day but get worse as night approaches. Mosquitoes are a type of fly that, believe it or not, do indeed act as pollinators. Only the females need blood meals in order to lay eggs. Males feed solely on nectar. Mosquitoes can also be vectors for disease, so it is worth taking precautions to prevent getting bitten. You can use readily available repellents that range from natural products such as lemon eucalyptus, citronella or lemongrass oil; or try products containing DEET, picaridin or IR3535. Make sure to keep bird baths clean, and empty any containers that may hold standing water. Gutters tend to be a forgotten source of stagnant water. Finally, never underestimate the power of a fan! Mosquitoes are weak fliers, and airflow can provide quite effective control.
Then, we have more friendly night insects that are more enjoyable. Insects such as moths and fireflies are harmless and add beauty to the night while also performing their jobs as pollinators. Moths are also an important food source for bats, birds and other insects. Fireflies, in their larval form, can help with pest control by eating snails, slugs and other garden pests. So, how can we help these beneficial insects?
First, avoid pesticide applications to your yard. When pesticides are sprayed for mosquito or other insect control, they also harm beneficial insects unintentionally. By using the techniques listed above for undesirable insect control, we can avoid spraying chemicals in insect habitats.
Second, turn off your lights when you go in for the night. Fireflies and moths detect light on their backs, and artificial light can be very disorientating. Recent research has sought to explain why insects tend to fly in circles around light bulbs. It was found that insects have light sensors on their backs to help them orient themselves when they fly in the dark. When they approach a light bulb, their back will continually orient toward the light, making them fly in erratic circles. So save on your energy bill and turn those lights off!
Third, when planning your garden, don’t forget about our nocturnal buddies. Plant native plants that bloom at night, such as those listed above. Native grasses, trees and forbs are all important for larva development as well. Additionally, avoid a fall garden cleanup, as many insects overwinter or nest in dead vegetation and emerge in the spring. You can also mow later in the spring and keep the blade set a little higher. If you don’t like the concept of letting your whole lawn be taller, you can also try leaving it taller in patches that aren’t as heavily used.
If you are interested in learning more about nocturnal insects, Illinois Extension is hosting a Nocturnal Pollinators Educational Hike and Sheet Lighting event on June 18 at 8 p.m. at Busey Woods. We will be joined by entomologists to help us identify the insects we find, learn how to contribute to science with iNaturalist, and talk about how human actions impact these important critters. Register at go.
illinois.edu/nightpollinators.
This event is also part of the Pollinator Week lineup. Pollinator Week is June 15-21, and we have many opportunities for you to learn about and celebrate pollinators! For more information, check out the webpage at publish.illinois.edu/
pollinatorweek/.
Karla Griesbaum is a natural resources, energy and environment educator with Illinois Extension, serving Champaign, Ford, Iroquois and Vermilion counties.