Pollinator Resources for the Home Gardener
To understand a broad topic such as pollinators, one turns to experts who have written books and developed other resources. Depending on how much in-depth information one desires, there are many, many available choices. The following article describes the purpose and value of different categories of resources available, from books to pamphlets to digital resources. For each category, descriptions of the content of many of our favorite resources are explained in detail. Perhaps you want to start learning about all of the different pollinators? Perhaps you want to identify butterflies with your grandchildren? Perhaps you want to add habitat for ground bees or moths? Perhaps you already have a basic knowledge about pollinators, but now want to expand it further? Perhaps you want to bring specific pollinators into your garden and want to know what to plant to encourage their interest? With the information in this article, interested gardeners will be able to choose the content that fits their specific needs. Please note that many of these resources may be available at your local library, a frugal choice before purchasing. Some digital resources are also free.
Field Guides – Books
If you are heading outdoors, there is a good chance you will see one or more of our native pollinators. In order to accurately identify them, one of the field guides below may be just what you need. These are comprehensive resources that will allow you to learn more about the pollinators in your area and beyond. With information on common traits, behavior, diet, and nesting needs, these books can be a great way to gain knowledge of our native pollinators and discover ways to support them.
Butterflies of Pennsylvania, a field guide, James L. Monroe and David M. Wright (2017, University of Pittsburgh Press), 336 pages
This book is a great resource to help you identify butterflies of our region. The guide begins with an introduction to butterflies and includes information on their evolution, anatomy, classification, life cycle, migration habits, overwintering, mating, feeding, and larval host plants. The rest of the book is devoted to species profiles. Butterflies are arranged by family and subfamily — swallowtails, whites and sulfurs, gossamer wings, metal marks, brushfoots, and skippers. General information is provided for each. The information provided for each species includes: common and scientific name, author of the species and date it was authored, photographs of the dorsal and ventral sides of a typical male and female, distinguishing marks, typical behavior, habitat, larval host plants, and miscellaneous remarks that may help with identification and understanding of the species. A graph of average weekly sightings over the last 40 years, a map of Pennsylvania denoting, by county, if the species has been sighted for the last 20 years, and a two-headed arrow denoting the average wingspan of the butterfly are also included. If necessary for identification, there are magnified photographs of the wings for comparison. Indexes of both host plants and butterflies, using common and scientific names, aid in its ease of use.
Butterflies and Moths, Smithsonian Handbooks, David Carter (2023, DK), 304 pages
If you have an interest in butterflies and moths inside and outside of Pennsylvania, this guide may be a good choice as it profiles butterflies and moths of the world. Representing a wide range of different types of butterflies and moths, selections include common species or those with interesting features. Following directions on using the guide, there is a brief introduction to butterflies and moths, including understanding the differences between the two, life cycle, conservation, observation, and creating a butterfly garden. Species profiles are grouped by family, and each profile includes family, genus, species, common name, and the original describer, distribution, identifying features of the adult and the caterpillar, host plants of the caterpillar, and average wingspan of the adult. Icons are used to denote time of flight, habitat, and gender. A small map denotes the zoogeographical areas where it is found.
Bees: An Identification and Native Plant Forage Guide, Heather Holm, (February 5, 2017, Pollination Press LLC), 224 pages
This book focuses on bees and native plants that are specific to the Midwest, Great Lakes, and Northeast regions of the United States. The first chapter provides an introduction to bees, their diet, life cycle, anatomy, nesting sites, as well as information on flower anatomy, bee pollination, and factors impacting bees. Each of the next five chapters introduces a different bee family. The chapter begins with an overview of the family, then moves on to profile specific genera within that family. Each profile includes photographs of the male and female bee highlighting distinguishing features, a list of common forage plants for spring, summer, and fall, and information on sociality, nesting, and pollen collection. Icons are used to denote features requiring magnification, if the bee buzz-pollinates, and the position of wings while foraging. There are silhouettes of the smallest and largest members of each genus and a graph denoting the months of their activity. The next section of the book, starting with the "plants at a glance chart," provides detailed information on bee forage. It is divided into four chapters: large native trees, small native trees, large shrubs, small native shrubs, and native annuals, biennials, and perennials. The information provided is comprehensive and includes a map of its native distribution, habitat, plant requirements, size, timing for flowers and fruit, and which common bees and specialist bees are attracted to the plant. While the focus is on bees, there are symbols that denote if the plant is also useful to birds, or whether it is a food source for moths, butterflies, flies, beetles, wasps, and hummingbirds. The book concludes with a glossary of terms pertaining to bees and an illustrated glossary of plant leaves, roots, fruit, and flowers.
Wasps: Their Biology, Diversity, and Role as Beneficial Insects and Pollinators of Native Plants, Heather Holm (2022, Pollination Press LLC), 420 pages
This book is not only a great guide for wasp identification, but it also provides comprehensive information on these frequently overlooked pollinators. The focus is on flower-visiting wasps that are found in eastern North America. The first five chapters give the reader a good understanding of the importance of wasps and the ecosystem services they provide. There is detailed information on their classification, anatomy, life cycle, diet, and nesting habits. The next twelve chapters each focus on a different wasp family or subfamily. General characteristics of the family or subfamily are provided first, then individual members are described in depth. Multiple, labeled, color photographs are provided for each wasp to aid in identification. Species profiles include taxonomy, a map designating their range, and short paragraphs describing their prey, appearance, nesting biology, and seasons of adult activity. A list of native nectar plants is also included. The final chapter is a planting guide for eastern North America, which is divided into smaller regions for ease of use.
Field Guide to the Flower Flies of Northeastern North America, Jeffrey H Skevington, Michelle M. Locke, Andrew D. Young, Kevin Moran, William J. Crins, and Stephen A. Marshall (2019, Princeton University Press), 512 pages
This is a great field guide to help accurately identify these often ignored but vitally important pollinators. Following a brief introduction on flower flies, the book provides tips to aid in their observation, such as the best season and time of day, habitats where they may commonly be found, signs to look for in the environment to aid in locating them, and what field tools to bring with you. The book then moves into species identification. Information is provided on all of the 413 known species of flower flies found in or north of Virginia, Kentucky, and Missouri, west to include Iowa, Minnesota, and Ontario, and east to the Atlantic Ocean, including Greenland. Within the book, similar species are grouped together, so it is easy to flip through the images to find a match. There is detailed information on specific characteristics to help correctly identify the insect. Icons easily tell you if the characteristics can be seen with the naked eye or if a hand lens or microscope is needed. There are also very useful life-sized silhouettes of the middle-range size of each fly. Multiple high-quality photographs, both of the whole body and of specific distinguishing body parts that have been magnified and labeled, are provided for each species. The information for each fly includes a range map of its distribution, the size range of the insect in millimeters, an estimate of how common the species is in the region, flight times listed by month, and notes that may include information on classification, larvae, behavior, habitat, hosts, and frequently visited flowers. Many fly species are similar in appearance and often mimic the appearance of bees and wasps. Therefore, this is a great guide to help make an accurate identification.
Field Guides - Folding Pamphlets
If you are looking for a field guide that is easy to carry, durable, and suitable for any weather, you may consider a folding pamphlet guide. Perfect to carry in a backpack for a hike or keep handy in your car, these guides are laminated so they are waterproof as well as stain and crease-resistant. While they are not as complete or comprehensive as a book, they can be a good alternative or useful supplement to identify common pollinators. Two publishers produce good folding guides, Waterford Press (Nature Observation North America guides) and Earth Sky and Water (Foldingguides™). Both publish 12-page guides that include color photographs and are approximately 4 by 9 inches when folded.
Folding Pollinator Guides from Waterford Press Include:
Butterflies and Pollinators. This guide features 64 familiar butterflies and moths, along with several common larvae and brief information on other types of pollinators.
Pennsylvania Butterflies and Pollinators. This guide features 64 common and familiar species found in Pennsylvania, along with several common caterpillars and brief information on other pollinators.
Bees and Other Pollinators. This guide features 140 of the most common and familiar bees, butterflies, birds, bats, and other animals that provide pollination services.
Great Lakes Butterflies and Pollinators. While the name implies information on more than just butterflies, they are the primary focus of this guide, with 64 common species identified. There is only brief information on other types of pollinators.
Butterflies and Moths. This guide features 72 common butterflies and moths, along with photographs of 10 caterpillars and 5 pupae.
Folding Pollinator Guides from Earth Sky and Water (earthskywater.net) include:
Caterpillars of Eastern North America. This guide features 54 species of common and exotic butterflies and moths, including photos of adults, larvae, or pupae, and a short description.
Common Butterflies of the Northeast. This guide features 64 common and exotic butterfly species along with a short description, their size in inches, and icons designating their habitat and seasons of viewing.
Common Bees of North America. This guide features descriptions and photographs of 20 common bee genera, with information on their life cycle, habitat, and behavior, as well as a short guide to distinguish them from flies and wasps.
Resources to Help with Providing Habitat for Pollinators
If your interests lie more in learning how you can garden to support pollinators and what native plants to select, below are four wonderful books to get you started.
Pollinators of Native Plants: Attract, Observe and Identify Pollinators and Beneficial Insects with Native Plants, Heather Holm (2014, Pollination Press LLC), 320 pages
This is an excellent book if you are looking for concise and comprehensive information on both pollinators and native plants. It identifies and describes many native bee and plant species of the upper Midwest, the Great Lakes region, the Northeast, and southern Canada. Arranged in a well-organized, easy-to-use format, the book begins with three short chapters on pollination, types of pollinators, and beneficial insects, including bees, butterflies, moths, wasps, flies, and beetles, as well as pollinator and habitat conservation in multiple landscapes. Following that, arranged by location— prairie, woodland edge, and wetland edge— the book highlights 65 native plants. The information on each plant contains multiple photographs and is divided into two parts. The first is devoted to the native plant itself. Information includes its flowering period, habitat, native range, flower, leaf, fruit, and root information for identification purposes. Additional descriptions are provided for complimentary plants. Short "plant notes" paragraphs provide horticultural information and cultivation tips. Short "insect notes" paragraphs describe the types of floral visitors and plant characteristics that influence pollination. The next part describes plant and insect interactions, including specialist bees that collect their pollen, other insect interactions, and the caterpillars that rely on it as a host plant. There are other convenient features that add to the book's ease of use. These include charts of plant interactions with bees and predatory wasps, the tongue length of bees, the flowering timeline of the plants in each region, a visual glossary of diagrams pertinent to insects and plants, an index of common bee genera, a visual index of pictures of all the insects featured in the book, and the corresponding pages numbers to learn about them. With a combination of comprehensive information and over 1600 high-quality photographs, this book is a great choice for anyone interested in attracting, identifying, supporting, or planting for pollinators.
A Northern Gardener's Guide to Native Plants and Pollinators: Creating Habitat in the Northeast, Great Lakes, and Upper Midwest, by Lorraine Johnson and Sheila Colla (2023, Island Press), 264 pages
This book's focus is more on plants rather than pollinators. The beginning two short chapters provide general information on pollinators and the importance of native plants. While it does not cover specific pollinators, it does provide general information on the different types of pollinators and their relationships to native plants. The next chapter, titled "Starting your Garden for Native Pollinators," covers information on selecting and adding new native plants to existing beds or creating entirely new gardens in the lawn or with containers. It focuses on supporting pollinators not only through choices made in selecting floral food, but also through providing different nesting and overwintering sites. The rest of the book focuses on native plants. The plants are grouped by seasonal bloom time, be it spring, summer, or fall. Profiles of native plants include bullet points with the common and scientific names, height, flower color, sun and soil moisture requirements, good companion plantings, and any specialist relationships. There are photographs or illustrations of each plant along with a short paragraph providing additional information. In total, 192 flowering plants, 23 grasses, and 120 trees, shrubs, and woody vines are reviewed. While this book does not cover specific pollinators, it is a good source for information on native plants. It would be of great value for anyone looking to add native plants to their garden.
The Northeast Native Plant Primer: 235 Plants for an Earth-Friendly Garden, Uli Lorimer (2022, Timber Press), 252 pages
This book is designed to help the home gardener create a diverse, beautiful, and beneficial garden using plants native to the Northeast region — plants that will attract and support our native pollinators. It begins with a short introduction focusing on the importance of native plants and creating biodiversity through their use in the garden. This is followed by a chapter entitled "Getting Started" that discusses general gardening practices, including site selection and preparation, plant selection, planting, and garden maintenance. A list of plants for different conditions and situations is provided and includes deer resistance, fall foliage color, drought tolerance, evergreen and flowering trees, spreading shrubs, and native host plants and their specialist caterpillars. The remainder of the book is devoted to native plants. There are seven chapters that describe trees, shrubs, vines, wildflowers, ferns, grasses, sedges and rushes, and annuals for a total of 235 different plants. The information for each plant includes the common and scientific names, a photograph, height at maturity, preferred light conditions, and a brief discussion of the plant. Additionally, symbols designate whether the plant supports birds or pollinators via nectar or pollen, whether it is a larval host plant for butterfly and moth larvae, and whether it offers food, forage, shelter, nesting, or cover for mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. While this book does not provide information on pollinators, it is a good source for selecting native plants to support them.
Attracting Native Pollinators: The Xerces Society Guides, Protecting North America's Bees and Butterflies, E. Mader, M. Shepherd, M. Vaughn, S. Hoffman Black, and G. LeBuhn (2011, Storey Publishing), 384 pages
This book is an all-around resource for attracting and supporting native pollinators in a variety of habitats, focusing on the conservation and restoration of native pollinator communities. Broken into four parts, the first part of the book is a deep dive into pollination and our pollinators. All native pollinators, including bees, flies, butterflies and moths, and beetles, are described. Part Two, titled "Taking Action", covers a variety of topics focusing on pollinator support and conservation. Threats are outlined and strategies are provided to improve and increase foraging opportunities, as well as nesting and overwintering sites in a variety of habitats ranging from home and community gardens, farms, urban green spaces, natural areas, roadways, and industrial and business sites. Part Three of the book is all about bees of North America. It begins with an overview of bees in general, their taxonomy, information to help differentiate between bees, flies, wasps, and other insects, and a description of the members of the five bee families. There are profiles of 33 common bee genera, and, with the exception of the European honey bee, specific species of bees are not profiled. The authors feel that identifying the genus will enable the reader to understand their nesting needs, foraging habits, and other practical information needed to support them. Information on each genus includes a photograph, a silhouette of a mature adult, a short descriptive paragraph, identifying features, similar insects, foraging information, nesting habits, and conservation concerns. The final part of the book contains information on creating a pollinator-friendly landscape. There are sample garden designs and regional plant lists for native pollinator gardens. Profiles of 85 plants, including 37 perennials, 27 flowering trees and shrubs, 12 herbs and annual garden plants, and 9 native and non-native pasture plants, like alfalfa, buckwheat, and clover, are supplied. The plants were selected based on their flowering abundance, vigor, growth habit, and ease of availability. Each profile provides a photograph, information on their sun and soil requirements, bloom color and time, maximum height, regions found in the United States and Canada, whether it is a host plant, and notes providing more detailed information on the plant. Following this is a short section on butterflies and their host plants, but this information is just a list, and only a few of the butterflies listed have accompanying photographs.
Digital Resources
If you like technology and want to make use of your smartphone and computer, there are many free digital resources as well. Some digital platforms allow you to upload your photos for identification, share, and store them. Others just provide identification. Sites vary on how they work and how the user interacts with them. They may use AI to identify insects based on user-submitted photos or mainly rely on community-based identification assistance. Many of the free platforms also have an upgraded or advertisement-free version that you must pay for. It is a good idea to read all of the information on the sites so you are aware of what, if any, information is shared and saved. Below are a few examples of digital options.
iNaturalist and Seek are two popular apps designed to help identify insects, wildlife, plants, and fungi. iNaturalist (app and website) is an online community that allows users to share and discuss observations from nature to make identifications. It provides initial identification suggestions, but others in the community help confirm your observations. It records your observations along with the location and time, and these are made publicly available. Seek (app only) uses AI-assisted identification based on data from iNaturalist to provide real-time information. The data you record does not leave your device, and you are not required to create an account.
BeeMachine (app and website) was developed in collaboration with Kansas State University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. It can identify many types of bees from around the world using computer vision. You must create an account, which will allow you to keep track of your sightings, view them on a map, and discuss them with other BeeMachine users. This information is meant to contribute to an open database for wild bee conservation science.
WildBeeID (website and app), created by the Center for Food Safety, is formatted similar to a field guide. You do not upload photographs, but rather you look for a bee that is similar in appearance to the one you are trying to identify, as you would with a field guide. There are 27 of North America’s native bee genera featured, as well as their commonly visited plants. Extensive profiles with high-quality photos are provided for both the bees and the plants.
The Center for Pollinator Research at our own Penn State provides an extensive website for those interested in learning about pollinators in Pennsylvania. This site provides in-depth information from the top researchers at Penn State. Included are sections on Pennsylvania's Pollinators, Bee Health, Landscaping for Pollinators, a Resource Library, and Research that is happening at the University. Information on the Master Gardener Pollinator Habitat Certification requirements and process is also found on this website.
