06/17/2025
Globally, bats are important pollinators in tropical and desert climates. Nectar and fruit eating bats are important pollinators for many edible crops, such as dates or agave.
But in Virginia? We do not have bat species that pollinate. Our native bats are still critical to our ecosystems though--and they help with pest control, feeding on mosquitoes, beetles, moths, and other insects. Our bats just don't act as pollinators!
More on bat pollination: https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/wildflowers/pollinators/who-are-the-pollinators/bats
