Definition

Noun: 1. An agent that transfers pollen: A pollinator is an animal, most commonly an insect, that moves pollen from the male anther of a flower to the female stigma of a flower, enabling fertilization and the production of seeds and fruit. 2. A biological vector for plant reproduction: It refers to any organism that facilitates the pollination of flowering plants, playing a critical role in ecosystems and agriculture.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Bees are the most well-known pollinator, vital for many crops.
  • The decline in the pollinator population is a serious concern for farmers.
  • Butterflies and hummingbirds also act as a pollinator for certain plants.

Advanced Usage

• "Keystone pollinator": A pollinator species whose role is disproportionately large relative to its abundance, such that its decline would significantly impact the ecosystem.
  • The native bee is considered a keystone pollinator for this forest.
• "Pollinator syndrome": A suite of flower traits (like color, shape, scent) that have evolved to attract a specific type of pollinator.
  • Red, tubular flowers are often part of the hummingbird pollinator syndrome.

Variants and Related Words

• Pollinate (verb): To carry or transfer pollen to a plant.
  • Bees pollinate the apple blossoms.
• Pollination (noun): The process of transferring pollen.
  • Cross-pollination often requires an insect pollinator.
• Pollinatory (adjective): Relating to pollination or pollinators.
  • The plant has specific pollinatory adaptations.

Synonyms

• Pollen vector: A more technical term for an agent that carries pollen.
• Fertilizing agent: An agent that enables fertilization in plants.

Related Phrases

• Pollinator garden: A garden specifically planted with flowers to attract and support pollinators.
  • They planted a pollinator garden to help the local bee population.
• Pollinator pathway: A corridor of habitat designed to support pollinator movement and health.
  • The city is creating a pollinator pathway through several parks.

Related Idioms

While there are no common idioms using the specific word "pollinator," the concept is central to the idiom: - The birds and the bees: A euphemism for explaining reproduction, indirectly referencing the role of pollinators in plant reproduction. - It was time to have the talk about the birds and the bees.

Noun

1. an insect that carries pollen from one flower to another