What they do
Adult soldier flies often feed at flowers and can help move pollen between plants.
Pollinator profile
Soldier flies
Family Stratiomyidae
Many adults visit flowers for nectar and can move pollen between blooms while feeding.
Category
Flies (flower-visiting flies)
Order
Diptera
Family
Stratiomyidae
Also Known As
Stratiomyidae, soldier fly
Intro
Overview
Soldier flies are a diverse family of flies, and many of the adults are frequent flower visitors. While they’re not as famous as bees, they can still contribute to pollination by carrying pollen as they move from flower to flower. This page helps you recognize soldier flies, understand what they need across seasons, and take practical steps to support them in yards, schoolgrounds, and community spaces.
At a glance
Quick Facts
Food
Small, open flowers, flat-topped clusters, mixed native wildflowers
Habitat
Leaf litter, damp soil, decaying plant material, wetland edges (varies by species)
Seasonality
Warm, bright parts of the day when flowers are blooming
Where to look
Flower beds, meadows, hedgerows, pond edges, rain gardens, parks
Key takeaways
If you remember only three things
A quick summary you can scan in under 10 seconds.
What they need
A steady sequence of blooms plus “messy” natural areas for their life stages (like leaf litter and damp organic material).
One best action
Plant a mix of native, open-flowered plants so something is blooming from early season through fall.
Why it matters
Why they matter
Soldier flies are part of the larger community of flower-visiting flies that support healthy plant reproduction. Even when they’re not the main pollinator in a given place, their visits add resilience—more kinds of pollinators means more chances for flowers to get pollinated.
Key Impacts
What this pollinator supports
- They contribute to pollination by visiting flowers for nectar (and sometimes pollen) and transferring pollen as they move.
- They often use small, accessible blooms, helping pollinate plants with open flower shapes.
- They can be active in places where other pollinators are less common at that moment (weather and habitat conditions vary).
- Their variety means different species may show up in different habitats—from gardens to wetland edges.
- They are part of a "pollinator network," supporting seed and fruit set for many wild plants and some garden plants.
Identification
Identification guide
Soldier flies can look surprisingly “polished” compared with many other flies, and some have bold patterns. A few quick visual checks—body shape, wing posture, and where they’re feeding—can help you narrow it down.
1
Often seen resting or feeding on flowers in full sun.
2
Many have a somewhat flattened or elongated body with a neat, "armored" look.
3
Some species show yellow-and-black patterning that can resemble wasps (mimicry varies).
4
Wings are typically clear or lightly tinted; when at rest, they may be held flat over the back.
Range and habitat
Where they live
Soldier flies occur across many regions of the world, and different species specialize in different habitats. You’re most likely to notice the adults where flowers are abundant and where nearby larval habitat exists (often tied to moisture and organic material).
Even small gardens and schoolyards can help by offering continuous blooms and leaving a few natural “life-stage” corners.
Common Habitats
- Meadows and wildflower-rich field edges
- Gardens with diverse flowering plants
- Wetland edges, marshy areas, and pond margins
- Riparian corridors (along streams and rivers)
- Rain gardens and other damp, planted areas
Life cycle
Life cycle and seasonality
Like all flies, soldier flies go through complete metamorphosis (egg → larva → pupa → adult). Adults are the stage you’ll most often see on flowers, while larvae typically develop out of sight in habitat that provides moisture and organic material (exact needs vary by species).
Spring / Early Season
Adults begin appearing as temperatures warm and early flowers open (timing varies by region). Early blooms can be important for the first active adults.
Summer / Mid-Season
Many sightings occur when gardens and meadows are in full bloom. Adults feed, mate, and lay eggs; larvae develop in suitable habitat nearby.
Late Season
Some species remain active as long as flowers are available. Late-blooming plants can extend feeding opportunities.
Winter / Dry Season
Many species persist in protected life stages (often as larvae or pupae) in sheltered microhabitats.
Late-season flowers and year-round shelter matter because they reduce “dead zones” when adults can’t feed or developing stages can’t survive.
Gardening guide
How to support in your garden
Provide the right food and habitat to help this pollinator thrive.
Plant these flowers
Nectar is a sugary liquid that fuels flight and daily activity, and pollen is a protein-rich resource that many flower visitors pick up while feeding (and sometimes consume). Soldier flies often do best with easy-to-reach nectar on open or clustered flowers.
Early season
- Native willows (early catkins)
- Early-blooming native shrubs
- Spring wildflowers with open blooms
Mid-season
- Daisies and other composite flowers with open centers
- Native meadow mixes (varied flower shapes)
- Herbs allowed to flower (e.g., dill/parsley-type umbels)
Late season
- Asters
- Goldenrods
- Late-blooming native wildflowers in mixed plantings
Best plant choices depend on your region; native plants are usually the best starting point.
Shelter and nesting
Soldier flies don’t build nests like bees; instead, their life stages rely on habitat features that provide moisture, cover, and organic material. Supporting them often means keeping some areas a little less “tidy,” while still maintaining a cared-for space.
Leave some leaf litter under shrubs or in a designated garden corner.
Keep a small patch of undisturbed soil or mulch where moisture can remain stable.
Add native grasses and dense plantings to create humid, sheltered microclimates.
Maintain wetland-friendly edges if you have them (pond margins, rain gardens, swales).
Compost thoughtfully: keep it covered/contained if needed, but allow natural decomposition processes.
Threats to avoid
Soldier flies depend on both flowers (adult food) and suitable habitat for their developing stages, so they can be affected by changes above and below ground. Many threats are unintentional side effects of how we manage land and gardens.
Habitat loss and fragmentation that remove flower-rich areas and damp, organic microhabitats.
Pesticides, including systemic pesticides (gets inside the plant), which can contaminate nectar and pollen.
Broad insecticide use for "pest control" that also kills beneficial insects.
Bloom gaps where landscapes have only spring flowers (or only a short burst of bloom).
Over-tidying (removing leaf litter, dead stems, and natural debris) that reduces life-stage shelter.
Take action
How to help
Helping soldier flies is mostly about two things: keep flowers available across the season, and keep some natural habitat features for their hidden life stages. These actions also support many other pollinators and beneficial insects.
Plant for continuous bloom: include early, mid, and late-season native flowers (aim for variety in flower shapes).
Skip pesticides: choose non-chemical options first, and avoid systemic products that get inside the plant.
Keep a "life-stage corner": leave some leaf litter, stems, and a bit of undisturbed ground or mulch.
Add moisture-smart habitat: rain gardens, native plantings near downspouts, or pond-edge plantings where appropriate.
Student challenge
Do a 10-minute "flower visitor survey" on two different days—count how many different kinds of flies you see on flowers and note which blooms they prefer.
Examples
Featured species
Examples from this subgroup. Status varies by region.
Hermetia illucens
Black soldier fly
This is a well-known soldier fly, and adults may visit flowers while feeding on nectar. It’s also a useful example of how fly life stages can depend on organic material and sheltered habitat.
Chloromyia formosa
Broad centurion soldier fly
This species is often noted as a flower visitor, showing how soldier flies can be regular participants in pollination. Its presence can be a sign that a landscape has both blooms and suitable nearby habitat.
Odontomyia spp.
Green soldier fly
Several Odontomyia species are associated with wetter habitats, and adults may visit flowers along edges and openings. They highlight the value of wetland-friendly plantings and naturalized water features for pollinator diversity.
Definitions
Glossary
Nectar
A sugary liquid produced by flowers that fuels many adult pollinators and flower visitors.
Pollen
Powdery grains produced by flowers; a key protein source for many insects and the material plants need transferred for seed production.
Habitat
The natural “home” of a species, including food, shelter, and the conditions it needs to survive.
Native
A plant or animal that occurs naturally in a region without being introduced by people.
Invasive
A non-native species that spreads aggressively and can harm local ecosystems.
Systemic pesticide
A pesticide that gets inside the plant, so insects can be exposed through nectar, pollen, or plant tissues.
Pollination
The transfer of pollen that helps plants produce seeds and fruit.
Bloom gap
A period when few or no flowers are blooming, reducing available food for flower visitors.
What You Can Do
Make a difference for native habitats.
Turn this knowledge into action. Whether you plant a single pot or a whole garden, you are building a vital bridge for local biodiversity.
Join the movement to restore our shared habitats.
Native plants
Plants that support this pollinator
Agaves
Agaves are bold, sculptural succulents that store water in thick leaves and thrive in bright, dry spots. Their flowers can be a big seasonal draw for pollinators when plants are mature and in bloom.
View plant profile
Alders
Alders are fast-growing trees in the genus Alnus that are especially useful in damp spots and along edges where you want quick cover and early-season pollen for insects.
View plant profile
Asters
Asters are late-season wildflowers that bring a burst of daisy-like blooms when many gardens are winding down, making them a reliable choice for pollinator-friendly planting.
View plant profile
Birches
Birches are graceful trees in the genus Betula, known for their often light-colored bark and early-season pollen and catkins that support springtime insects.
View plant profile
Blueberries & huckleberries
Blueberries and huckleberries (genus Vaccinium) are berry-producing shrubs with spring flowers that can support pollinators and later feed people and wildlife—great for gardens, schoolyards, and even large containers.
View plant profile
Clovers
Clovers are small, easygoing plants in the genus Trifolium that can add nectar and pollen to gardens, lawns, and pots while helping cover bare soil.
View plant profile
Creosote bush
Creosote bush (genus Larrea) is a tough, sun-loving shrub known for its small yellow flowers and resin-scented leaves. It’s best for dry, open spaces where you want a low-water plant that can still offer nectar and pollen when in bloom.
View plant profile
Desert mallows
Desert mallows (globe mallows) are tough, sun-loving plants in the genus Sphaeralcea that bring warm-colored blooms and easy pollinator value to dry, low-fuss gardens and containers.
View plant profile
Fireweed
Fireweed is a tough, fast-growing wildflower in the genus Chamerion that brings bright pink blooms and lots of pollinator activity to sunny, open spaces.
View plant profile
Fleabanes
Fleabanes (genus Erigeron) are easygoing wildflowers with daisy-like blooms that can brighten gardens, schoolyards, and balcony pots while offering steady nectar and pollen for many small pollinators.
View plant profile
Goldenrods
Goldenrods are tough, sunny wildflowers in the genus Solidago that light up late-season gardens with golden blooms and provide reliable nectar and pollen when many other flowers are fading.
View plant profile
Kinnikinnick
Kinnikinnick is a tough, low-growing evergreen groundcover in the genus Arctostaphylos (often called bearberry) that forms a tidy mat and offers small spring flowers followed by red berries.
View plant profile
Manzanitas
Manzanitas are tough, beautiful western shrubs with urn-shaped flowers that can feed early-season pollinators and evergreen leaves that keep gardens looking good year-round.
View plant profile
Marigolds
Desert marigolds are sunny, daisy-like wildflowers in the genus Baileya that bring bright color and steady nectar to warm, open garden spots.
View plant profile
Mesquites
Mesquites are tough, drought-adapted trees in the genus Prosopis that can add shade and seasonal flowers to dry landscapes while offering nectar and pollen for a range of pollinators.
View plant profile
Ocotillo
Ocotillo is a dramatic desert shrub in the genus Fouquieria, known for tall, wand-like stems and bright flower clusters that can be a valuable nectar stop when in bloom.
View plant profile
Organ pipe & relatives
Organ pipe & relatives are columnar cacti in the genus Stenocereus, grown for their bold, upright stems and showy blooms that can offer nectar and pollen when flowers are open.
View plant profile
Penstemons
Penstemons (beardtongues) are hardy, flower-filled wildflowers that bring bright color and steady nectar to gardens and containers, especially in sunny spots with well-drained soil.
View plant profile
Phacelias
Phacelias are easygoing wildflowers in the genus Phacelia, known for their nectar-rich blooms that can bring lots of pollinator activity to gardens, schoolyards, and even containers.
View plant profile
Poplars, aspens & cottonwoods
Poplars, aspens, and cottonwoods (genus Populus) are fast-growing trees best known for their fluttering leaves and soft “cottony” seeds. They can support early-season pollinators with spring catkins, but they’re also big, thirsty, and often short-lived in small yards—so they’re best chosen with space and roots in mind.
View plant profile
Prickly pears
Prickly pears are tough, sun-loving cacti (genus Opuntia) with bright blooms that can offer nectar and pollen when in flower. They’re best for warm, bright spots and gardeners who want a low-water plant with big character.
View plant profile
Prickly poppies
Prickly poppies (genus Argemone) are bold, spiny wildflowers with papery blooms that can add bright color and nectar to sunny, low-fuss garden spots.
View plant profile
Rushes
Rushes are tough, grass-like wetland plants (genus Juncus) that thrive in damp soil and help create calm, sheltered habitat at the edges of ponds, rain gardens, and low spots.
View plant profile
Saguaros
Saguaros are iconic desert cacti that grow slowly, live a long time, and offer seasonal flowers that can support pollinators when grown in the right conditions.
View plant profile
Sedges
Sedges (genus Carex) are grass-like plants that form tidy clumps and thrive in many garden conditions, especially where soil stays a bit damp. They add texture, cover bare ground, and can support small wildlife by providing shelter and nesting material.
View plant profile
Wild buckwheats
Wild buckwheats (genus Eriogonum) are tough, long-blooming western native wildflowers that can turn dry, sunny spots into reliable pollinator stops.
View plant profile
Willowherbs
Willowherbs (genus Epilobium) are easygoing wildflowers that pop up in sunny, open spots and offer simple, nectar-rich blooms that many small pollinators can use.
View plant profile
Willows
Willows are fast-growing trees and shrubs in the genus Salix that offer some of the earliest pollen and nectar of the year, making them a strong choice for pollinator-friendly yards, parks, and school grounds.
View plant profile
Yarrow
Yarrow is a tough, easygoing wildflower that brings long-lasting blooms and steady pollinator visits to gardens, schoolyards, and even containers.
View plant profile
Yucca
Yucca is a group of bold, architectural plants with spiky leaves and tall flower stalks that can add structure to sunny gardens and containers. Many yuccas are tough once established and can be a low-fuss way to offer nectar to visiting pollinators when in bloom.
View plant profile
Regions
Where this pollinator is active
Image
Aberdeen Plains
Aberdeen Plains is a northern plains ecoregion where the growing season is short and conditions can be harsh for gardening.
Explore region profile
Image
Abitibi Plains and Riviere Rupert Plateau
The Abitibi Plains and Riviere Rupert Plateau is largely defined by boreal forest, wetlands, and extensive freshwater networks.
Explore region profile
Image
Alaska Range
The Alaska Range is a high, cold mountain landscape where plants and pollinators must make the most of a short summer.
Explore region profile
Aleutian Islands
The Aleutian Islands are a maritime, wind-shaped island chain with short, challenging growing conditions and many exposed sites.
Explore region profile
Image
Algonquin/Southern Laurentians
Algonquin/Southern Laurentians is a forest-and-water landscape where many pollinators rely on sunny edges, openings, wetlands, and flowering understories rather than deep shade.
Explore region profile
Image
Amundsen Plains
The Amundsen Plains are a northern Arctic plains region where the growing season is short and conditions are tough for typical home gardening.
Explore region profile
Image
Arctic Coastal Plain
The Arctic Coastal Plain is a tundra region where plants grow low to the ground and the flowering season is brief.
Explore region profile
Image
Arctic Foothills
The Arctic Foothills are a rugged transition zone where tundra landscapes meet rising hills and mountain fronts.
Explore region profile
Arizona/New Mexico Mountains
The Arizona/New Mexico Mountains are a “sky-island” style landscape: cooler, higher, and often greener than the surrounding lowlands.
Explore region profile
Image
Athabasca Plain and Churchill River Upland
Athabasca Plain and Churchill River Upland is a northern, boreal-leaning landscape where forests, wetlands, and river systems shape what can grow and when it blooms.
Explore region profile
Image
Baffin and Torngat Mountains
The Baffin and Torngat Mountains are a dramatic Arctic mountain region where life is adapted to cold, wind, and a very short season for growth.
Explore region profile
Image
Baffin Uplands
The Baffin Uplands are a High Arctic ecoregion where plants grow slowly and stay low, and where “garden-style” pollinator planting is often not practical.
Explore region profile
Image
Baja California Desert
The Baja California Desert is a warm-desert region where life is adapted to drought, heat, and big swings in how much rain falls from year to year.
Explore region profile
Image
Banks Island and Amundsen Gulf Lowlands
Banks Island and the Amundsen Gulf Lowlands are part of the Northern Arctic, where plants and insects must survive extreme cold, wind, and a very short season for growth and flowering.
Explore region profile
Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains are a varied mountain-and-valley landscape where forests, meadows, and river corridors can sit close together.
Explore region profile
Image
Bristol Bay-Nushagak Lowlands
The Bristol Bay–Nushagak Lowlands are tundra-leaning lowlands where wetlands, river corridors, and coastal conditions shape what can grow.
Explore region profile
Image
Brooks Range/Richardson Mountains
The Brooks Range/Richardson Mountains ecoregion is a high-latitude mountain tundra landscape where plants grow low to the ground and the season for flowers can be brief.
Explore region profile
California Deserts & Southern Nevada (Mojave)
The Mojave is a warm-desert region where life is shaped by limited water, intense sun, and big temperature swings.
Explore region profile
Canadian Rockies
The Canadian Rockies are a rugged mountain region with big elevation changes, cold winters, and pockets of warmer, sunnier valley habitat.
Explore region profile
Cascades
The Cascades ecoregion is defined by mountains, forests, and dramatic “up-and-down” terrain that creates many local growing conditions.
Explore region profile
Image
Central Angava Peninsula and Ottawa and Belcher Islands
This ecoregion is part of the Southern Arctic, where plants and pollinators must make the most of a short, intense growing season.
Explore region profile
Image
Central Laurentians and Mecatina Plateau
The Central Laurentians and Mecatina Plateau is typically a softwood-shield region with forests, bogs/fens, rocky openings, and water-rich landscapes.
Explore region profile
Chihuahuan Desert
The Chihuahuan Desert is a place of extremes: dry stretches, sudden flushes of bloom after moisture, and a patchwork of habitats shaped by elevation and water.
Explore region profile
Image
Chilcotin Ranges and Fraser Plateau
The Chilcotin Ranges and Fraser Plateau includes a patchwork of plateaus, forests, grass-leaning openings, and river corridors.
Explore region profile
Image
Clear Hills and Western Alberta Uplands
Clear Hills and Western Alberta Uplands is a boreal upland landscape where forests, wet areas, and stream corridors shape what can grow.
Explore region profile
Image
Coastal Hudson Bay Lowland
The Coastal Hudson Bay Lowland is a cold, flat coastal region where wet ground and a short summer shape what can grow.
Explore region profile
Image
Columbia Mountains/Northern Rockies
The Columbia Mountains/Northern Rockies region is a landscape of big elevation changes—forests, meadows, and river corridors stitched between steep slopes and high ridgelines.
Explore region profile
Image
Copper Plateau
Copper Plateau is a boreal-cordillera plateau region where plants and pollinators often have a narrow window to grow, bloom, and reproduce.
Explore region profile
Image
Coppermine River and Tazin Lake Uplands
The Coppermine River and Tazin Lake Uplands sit within the Taiga Shield, where rock, water, and boreal vegetation shape what can grow.
Explore region profile
Image
Cypress Upland
Cypress Upland landscapes are shaped by elevation, exposure, and patchy moisture—meaning one yard can be quite different from another just a short distance away.
Explore region profile
Eastern Cascades Slopes and Foothills
The Eastern Cascades Slopes and Foothills are a transition zone: mountain-influenced landscapes that often lean dry, with big differences from one hillside or creek corridor to the next.
Explore region profile
Image
Ellesmere Mountains and Eureka Hills
The Ellesmere Mountains and Eureka Hills are an extreme Arctic landscape where plants grow slowly and flowering opportunities are limited.
Explore region profile
Image
Foxe Uplands
Foxe Uplands is a Northern Arctic ecoregion where the environment is tough on plants: cold, wind, and a short growing season make typical “pollinator gardening” difficult in many places.
Explore region profile
Image
Great Bear Plains
The Great Bear Plains is a taiga-plains landscape where water, soil, and exposure strongly shape what can grow.
Explore region profile
Image
Gulf of Boothia and Foxe Basin Plains
This Northern Arctic plains ecoregion is defined by cold temperatures, short summers, and landscapes where plants grow low to the ground.
Explore region profile
Image
Hay and Slave River Lowlands
The Hay and Slave River Lowlands are a northern lowland landscape where rivers and wetlands strongly shape what can grow.
Explore region profile
Image
Hayes River Upland and Big Trout Lake
Hayes River Upland and Big Trout Lake sits in the boreal “softwood shield” world of conifers, water, and wetlands.
Explore region profile
Image
Hills and Interior Plains with Xeric Shrub and Mesquite Low Forest
This region is a dryland landscape of interior plains and low hills where plants are adapted to heat, drought, and variable rainfall.
Explore region profile
Image
Hudson Bay and Hames Lowlands
The Hudson Bay and Hames Lowlands are defined by wide-open lowlands and large wetland landscapes.
Explore region profile
Idaho Batholith
The Idaho Batholith ecoregion is a rugged, mountainous landscape where forests, meadows, and river corridors create a patchwork of habitats.
Explore region profile
Image
Interior Bottomlands
Interior Bottomlands are low-lying parts of Alaska’s boreal interior where water and soils often shape what can grow.
Explore region profile
Image
Interior Forested Lowlands and Uplands
Interior Forested Lowlands and Uplands is a boreal interior landscape where forests, wetlands, and river corridors create pockets of flowering habitat.
Explore region profile
Image
Interior Highlands and Klondike Plateau
Interior Highlands and Klondike Plateau is a northern inland region where elevation, slope direction, and river valleys create many “small zones” for plants.
Explore region profile
Image
Kazan Rvier and Selwyn Lake Uplands
Kazan Rvier and Selwyn Lake Uplands is a northern taiga-shield landscape of rock, water, and hardy vegetation.
Explore region profile
Klamath Mountains
The Klamath Mountains are a complex, mountainous landscape where forests, rocky openings, and river corridors create many different growing conditions close together.
Explore region profile
Image
La Grande Hills and New Quebec Central Plateau
La Grande Hills and the New Quebec Central Plateau are part of the Taiga Shield—often rocky, lake-rich, and shaped by cold-season conditions.
Explore region profile
Image
Lake Nipigon and Lac Seul Upland
Lake Nipigon and Lac Seul Upland is a lake-and-forest shield region where conifer-dominated woods, wetlands, and rocky openings create a patchwork of habitats.
Explore region profile
Image
Lancaster and Borden Peninsula Plateaus
The Lancaster and Borden Peninsula Plateaus are part of the Northern Arctic, where cold, wind, and a short growing season limit how much flowering habitat can develop.
Explore region profile
Image
Mackenzie and Selwyn Mountains
The Mackenzie and Selwyn Mountains are a high-latitude mountain landscape where plants and pollinators must make the most of a short warm season.
Explore region profile
Madrean Archipelago
The Madrean Archipelago is known for its patchwork of habitats created by mountains separated by lower, drier areas.
Explore region profile
Image
Mid-Boreal Lowland and Interlake Plains
The Mid-Boreal Lowland and Interlake Plains is a boreal-plain landscape where forests and wetlands shape what can grow and when flowers appear.
Explore region profile
Image
Mid-Boreal Uplands and Peac-Wabaska Lowlands
Mid-Boreal Uplands and Peac-Wabaska Lowlands is a boreal-plain region where forests, wetlands, and open edges create a patchwork of habitats.
Explore region profile
Middle Rockies
The Middle Rockies are defined by rugged terrain, big elevation changes, and many “pockets” of different growing conditions.
Explore region profile
Image
Newfoundland Island
Newfoundland Island includes a mix of coastal landscapes, conifer-dominated forests, wetlands, and open barrens.
Explore region profile
North Cascades
The North Cascades are defined by big elevation changes, forested slopes, and river valleys that create many small habitat pockets.
Explore region profile
Image
North Central Appalachians
The North Central Appalachians are known for forested hills, stream corridors, and a patchwork of openings where wildflowers can thrive.
Explore region profile
Image
Northern Appalachians and Atlantic Maritime Highlands
This region is a patchwork of forested mountains and uplands, with streams, wetlands, and openings that can be surprisingly rich in wildflowers.
Explore region profile
Northern Lakes and Forests
Northern Lakes and Forests is a lake-rich, forested shield landscape where native wildflowers often thrive in sunny openings, shorelines, and edges rather than deep shade.
Explore region profile
Image
Northern Minnesota Wetlands
Northern Minnesota Wetlands are defined by water: saturated soils, standing water, and plant communities adapted to wet conditions.
Explore region profile
Image
Oglivie Mountains
The Oglivie Mountains ecoregion is a cold, mountainous part of the Taiga Cordillera where plant life is shaped by short summers, elevation, and shelter from wind.
Explore region profile
Image
Parry Islands Plateau
The Parry Islands Plateau is a Northern Arctic ecoregion where cold, wind, and a short growing season make gardening and long-season blooms difficult in many places.
Explore region profile
Image
Peel River and Nahanni Plateaus
The Peel River and Nahanni Plateaus ecoregion is a northern landscape of broad uplands, river-cut valleys, and hardy vegetation adapted to cold conditions.
Explore region profile
Image
Piedmont and Plains with Grasslands, Xeric Shrub, and Oak and Conifer Forests
This region blends open grasslands and dry shrublands with pockets of oak and conifer forest—so pollinator habitat can look very different from one hillside to the next.
Explore region profile
Image
Queen Maud Gulf and Chantrey Inlet Lowlands
This ecoregion is an Arctic lowland landscape where the season for flowering plants is short and highly weather-dependent.
Explore region profile
Image
Seward Peninsula
The Seward Peninsula sits within Alaska’s tundra ecoregions, where the growing season is short and conditions can be tough for conventional gardening.
Explore region profile
Sierra Nevada
The Sierra Nevada is a mountain region with a wide range of habitats—from foothill woodlands to conifer forests to high-elevation meadows.
Explore region profile
Image
Skeena-Omineca-Central Canadian Rocky Mountains
This is a Western Cordillera mountain region where forests, rivers, and open sunny edges create pockets of pollinator habitat.
Explore region profile
Image
Smallwood Uplands
Smallwood Uplands is a northern taiga-shield landscape where water, rock, and forest shape what plants can thrive.
Explore region profile
Sonoran Desert
The Sonoran Desert is a place of extremes: intense sun, long dry stretches, and bursts of life when rains arrive.
Explore region profile
Southern Rockies
This ecoregion is defined by mountain terrain, big elevation changes, and patchy habitats that can shift from dry, sunny slopes to cooler, moister pockets.
Explore region profile
Image
Subarctic Coastal Plains
Subarctic Coastal Plains are open, tundra landscapes where plants must grow fast during a short summer.
Explore region profile
Image
Sverdrup Islands Lowland
The Sverdrup Islands Lowland is an extreme Arctic lowland environment where plants grow slowly and flowering opportunities can be limited.
Explore region profile
Image
Tamaulipas-Texas Semi-Arid Plain
The Tamaulipas–Texas Semi-Arid Plain is a sun-forward, often dry landscape where plants and animals are adapted to heat, variable rainfall, and tough soils.
Explore region profile
Image
Ungava Bay Basin and George Plateau
The Ungava Bay Basin and George Plateau is a northern Taiga Shield landscape where the growing season is typically short and gardening can be challenging.
Explore region profile
Image
Victoria Island Lowlands
The Victoria Island Lowlands are an Arctic lowland ecoregion where extreme cold and a short growing season make conventional pollinator gardening difficult in many places.
Explore region profile
Wasatch and Uinta Mountains
The Wasatch and Uinta Mountains are defined by elevation, rugged terrain, and big differences between sunny slopes, shaded forests, and stream corridors.
Explore region profile
Image
Watson Highlands
Watson Highlands is a northern, mountain-influenced boreal region where plants and pollinators must handle short summers and big swings in weather.
Explore region profile
Image
Image
Yukon Flats
Yukon Flats is a boreal interior lowland where water—rivers, wetlands, and seasonal flooding—strongly shapes habitats.
Explore region profile
Image
Yukon-Stikine Highlands/Boreal Mountains and Plateaus
This region is defined by boreal mountain-and-plateau landscapes where growing conditions can be challenging but rewarding for hardy native plants.
Explore region profile