Celebrating Australian Pollinator Week on the Fleurieu Peninsula

Australian Pollinator Week, held from 9th to 17th November in 2024, offers a unique opportunity to appreciate the vital role pollinators play in our ecosystems. Whether they are bees, butterflies, birds, or beetles, these species are critical for the reproduction of native plants, agriculture, and maintaining biodiversity.

Here’s a look at five key pollinator species you might find on the Fleurieu Peninsula during Pollinator Week:

1. Blue-Banded Bee (Amegilla cingulata)

A striking native bee, the blue-banded bee is known for its vibrant blue stripes. These solitary bees are excellent pollinators, particularly for native plants and those requiring "buzz pollination" (such as tomatoes). They nest in soft soil or mud and are commonly seen in bushland areas around the Fleurieu Peninsula. Their role in pollinating native plants is crucial for maintaining the region’s ecological balance.

2. Common Brown Butterfly (Heteronympha merope)

Butterflies are not only a delight to watch, but they are also effective pollinators. The Common Brown Butterfly, abundant on the Fleurieu Peninsula, is active during the warmer months, fluttering through forests and gardens. It plays a role in the pollination of native wildflowers, enhancing the biodiversity of the region.

3. New Holland Honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae)

This small, energetic bird is an essential pollinator on the Fleurieu Peninsula. The New Holland Honeyeater feeds on nectar from native flowers like grevilleas and banksias, helping spread pollen between plants. By supporting the pollination of native flora, these birds are critical to maintaining healthy ecosystems in the region.

4. Hoverflies (Family Syrphidae)

Hoverflies, often mistaken for bees, are highly effective pollinators. They are frequently seen in gardens and around wildflowers, where they pollinate a variety of flowering plants. Hoverflies are also beneficial for pest control, as their larvae consume aphids, keeping the garden’s ecosystem balanced.

5. European Honeybee (Apis mellifera)

The European honeybee is not a native species, but is one of the most common pollinators in Australia. While these bees do pollinate, and produce honey, they also pose a challenge to local wildlife as wild feral hives can take over hollows needed for native birds and possums. One way we can ensure these honeybees stay out of hollows is best practice hive management by beekeepers.

(In the warmer subtropical climates in Australia there is a native stingless honeybee. Find out more here).

Blue banded bee Credit Martin Stokes, Green Adelaide

How to Get Involved in Pollinator Week

Australian Pollinator Week provides ways to support pollinators, from planting native flora in your garden to participating in citizen science projects and building bee hotels. Getting involved helps preserve the rich biodiversity of the Fleurieu Peninsula and ensures pollinators continue to thrive.

To learn more and find out how you can contribute, visit Australian Pollinator Week and get involved in this important cause.

By celebrating and protecting these pollinators, we ensure the continued health of the Fleurieu Peninsula’s diverse plant life and ecosystems.

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