Buzzing Beneath the Canopy: The Pollinators of Bengaluru

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When we think of wildlife, we often imagine large mammals, soaring birds, or elusive reptiles. But some of the most crucial members of our ecosystems are the smallest — our pollinators. In Bengaluru, a city rapidly expanding and changing, these tiny heroes continue to play an outsized role in maintaining the balance of nature.

Why Pollinators Matter

Pollinators — bees, butterflies, birds, bats, beetles, and more — are responsible for fertilizing over 75% of flowering plants, including many of the fruits and vegetables we eat. In urban ecosystems like Bengaluru’s, they are the silent custodians of biodiversity, ensuring plant reproduction, seed formation, and food availability for countless species, including us.

Who Are Bengaluru’s Pollinators?

Despite its urban landscape, Bengaluru is home to a diverse group of pollinators:

Bees

India is home to over 600 species of native bees, and many make their home in and around the green pockets of Bengaluru. Carpenter bees, leafcutter bees, stingless bees, and the more familiar honeybees buzz around Lalbagh, Cubbon Park, and residential gardens alike. Unlike Western honeybees, many native species are solitary and nest in soil, wood, or crevices, making them especially vulnerable to habitat loss.

Butterflies and Moths

From the stunning Common Jezebel to the vibrant Blue Tiger, Bengaluru hosts over 150 butterfly species. Many visit flowering plants in search of nectar, transferring pollen in the process. Moths — often overlooked — are equally important, especially as night-time pollinators, helping plants that bloom after dark.

Beetles, Wasps & Flies

While not the most glamorous, these insects are effective pollinators too. Hoverflies mimic bees and do an excellent job of pollinating garden crops and wild plants. Beetles, which may seem like pests, have ancient relationships with some of India’s native flowering plants.

Birds

The Purple-rumped Sunbird, Loten’s Sunbird, and even parakeets are nectar feeders and occasional pollinators in our city. These birds frequent bottlebrush trees, hibiscus, and other brightly colored flowers, aiding pollination as they forage.




Bats

Yes, bats! Some species of fruit bats are key pollinators of night-blooming flowers, especially those of native trees like kadamba and mango. Though misunderstood and feared, bats perform critical ecosystem services, and they do it while we sleep.




Threats to Urban Pollinators

Like many urban wildlife species, pollinators in Bengaluru face multiple threats:

  • Loss of green spaces due to urban development

  • Use of chemical pesticides in gardens and parks

  • Decline of native flowering plants in favor of ornamental or hybrid varieties

  • Light pollution disrupts the activity of nocturnal pollinators like moths and bats

How You Can Help

Whether you’re a balcony gardener or an apartment dweller, you can make a difference:

 Plant native, flowering species — such as hibiscus, tulsi, or cosmos — that bloom year-round.

 Avoid chemical pesticides and herbicides, which are lethal to pollinators.

 Create small habitats — bee hotels, bat boxes, or flowering balcony corners can support biodiversity.

 Provide water — a shallow dish with pebbles helps butterflies and bees stay hydrated.

 Minimize light pollution — switch off unnecessary lights at night to help nocturnal species thrive.

What PfA Has Seen

At PfA Wildlife Hospital, we’ve often treated birds and bats injured due to man-made causes like pesticide exposure, window collisions, or habitat encroachment. Every rescued sunbird, every rehabilitated bat reminds us: pollinators are wildlife too.

We’ve also worked to plant native flowering species within our facility grounds to create pollinator-friendly habitats and encourage others to do the same. Every small pocket of greenery becomes a stepping stone in the survival of these vital species.

Let’s Keep Bengaluru Blooming

Pollinators are not just part of nature — they make nature possible. In a city like Bengaluru, known for its gardens, lakes, and trees, we owe it to them to keep the buzz alive.

If you care about food, flowers, and future generations, care about pollinators.


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