Butterflies, moths, bees and wasps and more visit milkweed for pollen and/or nectar.
Milkweed would have to be ingested in large amounts before being dangerous to livestock and human, besides the fact that it has a nasty taste. If sufficient forage is available, livestock won't touch it.
Milkweed is a native plant in Ohio.
Monarch Butterflies are nearly endangered.
Things You Should Know About Pollinators
A pollinator unknowingly can deposit pollen from a different flower. The plant then uses the pollen to produce a fruit or seed.
Three-fourths of the world's flowering plants depend on pollinators to reproduce.
The most common avian pollinator is the hummingbird but there are two species of bat that are major pollinators in the Southwest.
The U.S. is home to 4,000 species of native bees.
Pollinators' ecological service is valued at $200 billion each year in the U.S.
NRCS offers more that 3 dozen conservation activities that can lead to benefits for pollinators.
90% of your vitamin C comes from insect-pollinated plants.
Some flowers hold static charges until visited. Bumblebees, sensing static electricity, know which flowers to visit.
Pollinators are facing challenges such as habitat loss, disease, parasites and environmental contaminants.
you can help! Provide food and habitat for pollinators to help them thrive. you can do this in a backyard, crop field or even volunteer with a conservation organization.
Types of Pollinators
Bees are the main pollinators for fruits and vegetables.
Nectar seeking butterflies are daytime visitors and moths are their nocturnal counterpart.
Birds, Bats and Hummingbirds are the most common avian pollinator in the continental U.S Two species of bats are major pollinators in the Southwest.
Beetles, flies and other insects are common flower visitors and pollinators.