How Pollinators Use Cities

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

How Pollinators Use Cities (Behaviour & Ecology)

Overview

Urban environments may appear artificial, but many pollinators adapt remarkably well to city life. Understanding how pollinators move, feed and nest in urban landscapes helps us design spaces that genuinely support their survival.

How Pollinators Navigate Cities

Pollinators rely on a range of cues to find food and navigate between habitats:

Visual cues such as flower colour, shape and UV patterns
Scent trails from nectar-producing plants
Landmarks such as trees, hedgerows and buildings
Some species, including certain bees, can use the sun as a directional reference point

Even small planted spaces can act as navigation points, helping pollinators locate and move between larger foraging areas.

Urban Feeding Behaviour

Pollinators seek nectar for energy and pollen as a protein source for their young. They are most attracted to areas with:

Multiple plant species in flower simultaneously
Continuous flowering across the season
Flowers with accessible shapes suited to their tongue length and body size

Low disturbance from noise, foot traffic and pesticide use

Urban Nesting Habits

Different species use very different nesting sites, and cities can provide excellent opportunities if natural features are preserved:

Solitary bees nest in bare or sparsely vegetated soil, hollow plant stems, sandy banks, mortar joints and cavities in walls
Bumblebees nest underground in abandoned rodent burrows, or above ground in compost heaps, long grass tussocks and roof spaces — preferences vary by species
Many common hoverfly species lay eggs near aphid colonies, providing food for their larvae — though hoverfly larval ecologies vary widely across species

Why Movement Matters

Pollinators must travel between habitats to find food, breed and maintain genetic diversity within their populations. Fragmented urban landscapes — where green spaces are small and isolated — make this harder. Connected habitats are therefore vital: they allow pollinators to move safely, maintain healthy populations, and recolonise areas where they have been lost.

How to Support Natural Behaviour

Provide varied flower shapes and colours to suit different species
Leave undisturbed corners for nesting and overwintering
Include native plants, which often provide the best match for local pollinator needs
Avoid excessive artificial lighting at night, which can disorient nocturnal pollinators and disrupt moth activity
Connect green spaces to enable safe movement through the urban landscape