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Bees -

From bumblebees to solitary bees, it's easy to spot these insects buzzing around. They purposefully visit flowers to collect pollen and nectar for food for themselves and their youngsters (and then there's the queen bee!).

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Bees -

The poster child for pollination, bees need pollen and nectar from a variety of flowers. Many bees need water in addition to nectar.

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Lemurs -

Madagascar is home to a wondrous variety of unique plants and animals, including lemurs, who love to snack on the nectar of flowers.

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Lemurs -

Pollen collects on their muzzle, fur, and forearms, which is then transferred from tree to tree, making the lemur an excellent pollinator.

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Birds -

Birds are very important pollinators of wildflowers throughout the world, including hummingbirds in the US.

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Birds -

In addition, brush-tongued parrots (pictured) and sunbirds serve as tropical pollen vectors.

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Flies -

Many fly species specifically visits flowers. And while they're not as hairy as bees and as efficient in carrying pollen, some are actually good pollinators.

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Flies -

Take the hover flies. These two-winged creatures are known to visit at least 72% of global food crops and over 70% of animal-pollinated wildflowers.

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Reptiles -

Lizards, geckos, and skinks can all be pollinators. But as these creatures don't have fur, you might wonder where does the pollen stick on them?

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Reptiles -

Well, pollen adheres to the scales of their bodies, and spreads as they move from flower to flower.

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Ants -

Ants are busy insects who are often seen visiting flowers to collect energy-rich nectar. As they're wingless, they must crawl into each flower to reach their reward.

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Ants -

Because of this, ants are more likely to take nectar without effectively cross-pollinating flowers in large quantities.

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Bushbabies -

Also known as galagos, these adorable pollinating primates are native to sub-Saharan Africa. What's more, they're essential to the pollination of the baobab tree.

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Bushbabies -

The baobab possesses white and yellow flowers, and bushbabies love these sweet snacks. They then spread both seeds and pollen through their consumption of the plant.

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Bats -

Bats are very important pollinators in tropical and desert climates. Most flower-visiting bats are found in Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands.

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Bats -

Over 300 species of fruits depend on bats for pollination, including mangos, bananas, and guavas.

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Beetles -

Beetles have been pollinating flowers for millions of years, and they remain essential pollinators today. Many different species of beetles eat pollen. In fact, for some pollen is their main diet.

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Beetles -

Beetles even defecate within flowers, earning them the nickname "mess and soil" pollinators.

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Elephant shrew -

These small African mammals use their strong and long trunk-like nose to search through the leaf-litter of woodlands and thickets.

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Elephant shrew -

Along with consuming ants and termites, elephant shrews wash down their food with nectar from a variety of plants, thus spreading pollen as they travel.

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Butterflies -

Probing for their main fuel, nectar, butterflies are very active during the day and visit a variety of flowers.

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Butterflies -

However, they're less efficient than bees at moving pollen between plants. This is mainly because their thin legs don't pick up much pollen.

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Honey possums -

The honey possum of Australia pollinates the flowers of banksia and eucalyptus plants.

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Honey possums -

With its tail, limbs, and pointed snout dusted with pollen, the honey possum pollinates as it moves from branch to branch.

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Sugar gliders -

Another pint-sized pollinating possum, this cute little thing glides over Australian forests in search of food, and spreads pollen widely in doing so.

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Sugar gliders -

Like the honey possum, sugar gliders enjoy eating pollen and drinking nectar from a variety of plants, which they spread thanks to their furry bodies and snouts.

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Moths -

After dark, moths take over the night shift for pollination. Nocturnal plants, with pale or white flowers and which are heavy with fragrance, attract these pollinating insects.

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Moths -

As pollen sticks to their furry bodies, they can travel long distances carrying the genetic information stuck to them.

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Wasps -

Wasps are small, hungry creatures with high energy needs, so many of them search for flower nectar.

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Wasps -

Wasps aren't as hairy as bees, so pollen doesn't stick to them as easily, but they're still important pollinators nonetheless.

Sources: (Natural History Museum) (US Forest Service) 

See also: Beautiful wildlife driven to extinction

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