TIMOTHY DALY: The crucial role pollinating insects play

Insects have a terrible reputation. True, some cause harm to plants under cultivation and can spread human diseases. However, 97% of all insects are harmless, and many are essential. One way is their role in the pollination of plants.

Pollination is the transfer of pollen from the male parts of the plants, known as anthers, to the female parts, stigmas. The wind pollinates some plants. Examples include oak, pines, birches, and grasses. They produce copious amounts of pollen, which causes allergic reactions in some people. The other way is pollination by insects. Here, the insects visit the flowers to feed on the nectar and pollen attaches to their bodies. They then fly to another flower, depositing the pollen. Though many flowers are beautiful with a pleasant fragrance, their real purpose is to attract these insects. Wind-pollinated plants lack showy flowers.