Urban Pollinator Species Guide

Enhancing green spaces in London where all natural pollinators can thrive, and their habitats can be enjoyed by all.

Urban Pollinator Species Guide

Overview

Cities host a surprising diversity of pollinator species. Recognising common urban pollinators helps people understand which species they are supporting and why habitat diversity is important.

Common Urban Pollinators

Bumblebees

Large, furry bees with distinctive colouring
Active in cooler weather than most other bees
Nest underground in abandoned rodent burrows, or above ground in compost heaps, long grass tussocks, bird boxes and roof cavities — nesting location varies by species

Solitary Bees

Non-aggressive and rarely sting
Nest in soil, hollow stems, mortar cavities or purpose-made bee hotels, depending on species
Extremely efficient pollinators

Hoverflies

Many species mimic wasp or bee colouring, which can cause confusion
Adult hoverflies are important pollinators, visiting a wide range of flowers
Larvae of many common species are voracious aphid predators — it is the larvae, not the adults, that perform this pest-control role

Butterflies

Pollinate while feeding on nectar
Useful indicators of environmental health and habitat quality

Moths

Primarily night-time pollinators
Support plants that bloom after dark, including some that rely heavily on moth pollination

Beetles

Among the earliest pollinators in evolutionary history
Important for certain plant species, including some native wildflowers
Generally less prominent in urban settings than bees and hoverflies

Why Species Diversity Matters

Different pollinator species:

Prefer different flower shapes and structures
Feed at different times of day and season
Pollinate different plant species — often in ways other pollinators cannot

A diverse pollinator community produces a more resilient and functional ecosystem. If one species declines, others can partially compensate — but only if diversity has been maintained.

How to Identify Pollinators

Observe flower visitors closely and at different times of day
Photograph them for later identification
Use field guides or smartphone identification apps
Record sightings through citizen science platforms such as iRecord or the BWARS recording scheme

How to Support Multiple Species

Provide varied plants with different flower shapes and sizes
Include night-flowering species to support moths
Maintain natural, undisturbed areas for nesting
Offer diverse nesting habitats — bare soil patches, hollow stems, and log piles as well as bee hotels
Avoid pesticides