What Part of the Flower Attracts Birds & Insects for Pollination?

Petal Color

• An iris is an excellent example of flowers using color strategically to attract pollinators. Bees can only see certain colors, yellow and white being among them. The long, tongue-like front petal of many iris varieties has white and yellow stripes, like a landing strip, to guide bees to the center of the flower. Some flowers even have ultraviolet color patterns. Human eyes can't detect these color variations but bees can and are drawn to those flowers. Pale colors reflect moonlight and are attractive to bats and moths, so many night-blooming flowers will be white or yellow.

Flower Structure

• The structure of a flower, how its petals and sepals are arranged, are important for attracting pollinators as well. Butterflies must land when they feed, so they prefer flowers like daisies with broad petals for support. Other insects, such as beetles and bumblebees, like flowers with landing pads as well. According to the U.S. Forest Service, flowers of plants in the mint family hide their nectar down deep throats so that only pollinators like hawkmoths, butterflies and hummingbirds can access it.

Pistil

• The pistil is the female part of the flower. It is a vase-shaped organ located in the center of the plant and contains nectar that serves as food and enticement for pollinators. Nectar is high in sugar content, and plants that need high-energy pollinators like hummingbirds produce a lot of it. Pollen also contains amino acids, vitamins and minerals important to pollinator nutrition, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

Stamens

• The stamens are the male reproductive organs of the flower. They are topped by pollen-baring anthers. Pollen is more than a means of reproduction for plants, it is a valuable food source for pollinators as well. Pollen is actually high in protein, and plants that depend on pollinators like bees and beetles, who eat pollen, produce extra so they'll have enough for reproduction as well as their pollinators.