Beyond the Butterflies: The Full Pollinator Cast List

When you hear “pollinator,” what comes to mind? If your first thought is a graceful butterfly floating through the garden... you’re not wrong. But you’re also not seeing the whole cast of characters. Your Butterfly Candy bushes aren’t just hosting a butterfly brunch. They're throwing an all-day, all-species garden party (and some of the guests might surprise you).

Let’s take a look at the cute, creepy, weird, and wildly important pollinators you might spot visiting your Butterfly Candy butterfly bushes!

The Fan Favorites

Butterflies: From monarchs and swallowtails to painted ladies, these are the headline acts. Butterfly Candy is bred to attract them with nectar-rich blooms in irresistible shades.

Hummingbirds: Not technically pollinators of Butterfly Candy (they prefer tubular flowers), but they often swing by for a snack. Their fast fluttering adds drama and color to your garden.

Bees: Bumblebees, zippy little sweat bees, and fuzzy mason bees all love Butterfly Candy for its nectar. Bonus: they’re also champion pollinators for fruits and veggies!

The Weird and the Wonderful

Hoverflies: At first glance, you might mistake them for bees, but look closer and you’ll notice the big eyes and no stinger. These small flyers are major pollinators and natural aphid control.

Beetles: Yes, beetles. They’re among the oldest pollinators on Earth. While not delicate or graceful, their appetite for nectar and pollen makes them surprisingly effective.

Flies: Not all flies are pests. Some, like tachinid and syrphid flies, play a dual role: pollination and pest control. Give them some credit, they’re doing the work!

The Misunderstood MVPs

Wasps: Okay, they may not be garden guests you invite to the party, but many wasps are valuable pollinators and predator allies. They rarely sting unless provoked and can help control caterpillar pests.

Moths: The night shift is real. Moths may lack the daytime glam of butterflies, but they’re just as important. Some moths visit Butterfly Candy at dusk or dawn for nectar.

Ants: Often overlooked, ants can contribute to pollination as they crawl from bloom to bloom. They’re also part of your garden’s soil health ecosystem.

Want to Attract Even More Pollinators?

Pair your Butterfly Candy with other pollinator-friendly plants like:

• Coneflowers for bees
• Milkweed for monarch caterpillars
• Agastache for hummingbirds
• Moonflowers for night moths

Create a layered pollinator buffet that blooms across seasons and attracts a wide range of helpful visitors.

Butterflies often steal the spotlight, but every bug has a role, even the less glamorous ones. So next time you spot a beetle on your butterfly bush or a moth fluttering by after dark, give them a little silent nod. They’re part of the reason your garden’s buzzing with life.

Want to make your garden even more pollinator-friendly?
Explore the Butterfly Candy collection and create your own pollinator paradise.