What Pollinates Cacti?

Insects

• One of the most common and important, pollinators of cacti is the bee. Different bee species develop relationships with specific types of cacti, cross-pollinating them and no others. Other insects help cacti cross-pollinate. Wasps are important to this process. Butterflies, moths and beetles all play important roles. Insects pollinate cacti producing ray-like flowers, which most cacti produce. Some cacti have specialized their flowers attracting particular kinds of insects. The Dutchman's pipe cactus has flowers that only the hawk moth pollinates.

Birds

• Birds are common pollinators of cacti. Approximately 2,000 different bird species are involved in the process. The hummingbird is the most significant. They are attracted to cacti with brightly colored flowers with have weak or nonexistent scents, as hummingbirds have a poor sense of smell. The flowers are narrow enough that the hummingbirds brush their heads against them when inserting their beaks to feed. This dusts their heads with pollen, which is then brushed off on the next flower they visit.

Bats

• Bats are important cacti pollinators. They go after cacti with large, white flowers shaped like funnels and open at night. Long-tongued vampire bats are the most significant pollinators although others, such as the long-nosed bat, also play important parts.

Self-Pollination

• A minority of cacti is self-pollinating. Some have both male and female parts in the same flower, meaning that their pollen doesn't need spreading. Other cacti spread their own pollen between flowers on different parts of their bodies. However, self-pollination does not allow for a lot of genetic diversity, and most cacti are self-sterile. This prevents self-pollination and promotes cross-pollination with other cacti.