JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – About 70% of the world’s crop production depends on pollinator insects, making it important to know how many pollinators are out there.
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension invites citizen scientists to participate in this year’s Great Southeast Pollinator Census.
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The regional event covers Florida, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Volunteers simply pick one or more plants in their yard, write the plant name on a data sheet, and count insects that land on the plant for 15 minutes between August 22-23. Participants can count insects on multiple plants and upload their data via QR code or weblink.
Jeremy Rhoden, urban horticulture agent leading the effort in Florida, said, “Participating is easy, and you don’t have to be an expert. You can visit the website for a simple guide on how to differentiate between the insect groups.”
Last year, 2,800 people from 53 Florida counties recorded nearly 87,000 insects, including butterflies, bees, wasps, flies, and moths. The census aims to educate gardeners on creating sustainable pollinator habitats, increase knowledge about insects, and generate useful data on pollinator populations.
Tia Silvasy, UF/IFAS Extension agent, said, “We hope participants learn basic insect identification, such as flies have big eyes and wasps have skinny waistlines.”
Lorna Bravo, UF/IFAS Extension agent in South Florida, emphasized the importance of pollinators: “Nearly half of Florida’s crops — including avocados, mangos, and watermelon — depend on pollinators. About one in every three bites of food we eat comes thanks to the work of pollinators.”
She added, “By joining the census, you help ensure these vital species are protected for current and future generations, no matter where you live or what you grow in your yard.”
For more information, visit the UF/IFAS website or follow the Great Florida Pollinator Census Facebook page for updates and education events.
