Study Identifies Pearl Millet as Pollinator Food Source

A study by USDA Agricultural Research Service and University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences researchers found that pearl millet pollen can provide a food source for pollinators and other beneficial insects. Although wind-pollinated grasses are not usually considered a pollinator food source, scientists observed honey bees, lined earwigs, and maize calligrapher hover flies feeding on the pearl millet, as well as other pollinator species. Researchers say the low-input pearl millet, which can thrive in areas characterized by drought, low soil fertility, and high temperatures, may be a good choice for farmers looking for a field-border plant that’s beneficial to pollinators.