Pollination and Pollinators of Cultivated and Wild Flowering Plants

Pollination is one of the most important ecosystem services that facilitates the reproduction and survival of angiosperms. A majority of the flowering plants are animal-pollinated, while some are water- or wind-pollinated. Insects are undoubtedly the most important animal pollinators and play an important role in sustaining global food production and biodiversity. Among insects, bees and flies are the most well-known pollinators; however, butterflies, moths, beetles, wasps, and ants are less known. Besides, vertebrate pollinators such as bats and birds are also important. This chapter discusses the importance of pollination, the modes of pollination, and the different types of pollinators of cultivated and wild flowering plants, and emphasizes the worldwide importance of different types of insect pollinators and their role in the pollination of flowering plants.