08/20/2026
Native grasses are often overlooked and under-appreciated. We are told that grass is only good if it's mowed....which hardly makes sense really! There are many benefits to incorporating native grasses into your yard and/garden space.
Grasses provide soil stability, protect waterways, create shelter and food for wildlife, and are an indicator of ecosystem health. Specific ways in which grasses help pollinators include:
Habitat and Shelter: Grasses provide essential habitat and shelter for pollinators. Their dense foliage and upright growth form create microhabitats where insects are protected from adverse weather conditions, predators, or disturbances. The clumps or bunches of grasses also offer nesting sites for ground-nesting bees and other insects.
Larval Host Plants: Certain warm-season grasses serve as larval host plants for specific pollinator species. Butterflies lay their eggs on the grass, and the emerging caterpillars feed on the leaves. For example, little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) is the larval host plant for several skipper species and big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) are the caterpillar host plants for banded skippers and satyrs. By incorporating these grasses into landscapes, we provide crucial resources for the complete life cycles of these pollinators.
Connectivity and Corridors: Warm-season grasses can create pollinator corridors and add connectivity between habitats. These grasses are often planted in large swaths or prairie restorations, forming a network of suitable foraging areas for pollinators. This interconnectedness helps pollinators find suitable resources, enhancing their foraging efficiency and genetic exchange.
Incorporating grasses into pollinator-friendly initiatives and habitat restoration efforts can have a positive impact on the abundance and diversity of pollinators in our ecosystems.
Source: Pollinators Need Native Grasses Too! | Natural Resources Conservation Service https://share.google/Ykb8twM1sjFPcSUzf
