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Thomas Stone National Historic Site preserves more than just the story of a signer of the Declaration of Independence and his home. Just under that surface are a multitude of stories and resources that do not have the same spotlight shown on them as the namesake of the park. These hidden stories include pollinators. Pollinators are a key part of our world today. These animals move pollen between plants, which helps the plants create fruits and seeds. Even during the colonial era, pollinators were an important part of the ecosystem helping the orchards and other fields grow. 
NPS Most plants require pollination, or the adding of pollen from one plant to another plant, to produce fruit and seeds. The fruit and seeds then will produce more plants and the cycle will continue. Some plants have adapted for self-pollination, so they do not need any outside assistance, while other plants have adapted to allow their pollen to be moved by wind or water. There are also plants that have developed for their pollen to be carried by animals. These animals are pollinators.The most common and well-known pollinators are bees and butterflies, but any animal that carries pollen classify as pollinators. So wasps, flies, bats, and birds can also count as pollinators. The animal doesn’t even have to intentionally be carrying the pollen to be classified as a pollinator. Pollinators are important because there are many staple food products that rely on animal pollination including chocolate and coffee.
For more information, check out the National Park Service page on pollinators. Introduction to the SurveyIn June and July 2024, Benjamin Shoemaker, Eagle Scout candidate from Boy Scout Troop 1778 in Waldorf, Maryland led a team of scouts and volunteers to conduct a pollinator survey in and around the meadows of the Thomas Stone National Historic Site. They were arranged in three teams, who located, photographed, and later identified the pollinators. Each team was assigned an area of the Thomas Stone National Historic Site meadows—Area A, Area B, and Area C. They performed their survey in the morning and early afternoon on two separate days in June and July, respectively.Results of the SurveyDay 1 Morning Survey
Day 1 Afternoon Survey
Day 2 Morning Survey
Day 2 Afternoon Survey
Survey Summary
Common Identified Species
NPS/Shoemaker Scientific Name: Lygaeus kalmii These insects can be identified by the black and orange pattern on their back that creates an orange x shape, their about 0.5 inch size, and they are frequently found on their host plant of milkweed. While there are many species that will pollinate milkweed directly from the flower, very few species can tolerate the sticky sap that contains toxic cardiac glycosides. The milkweed bugs are one of the species that can survive the toxic chemicals in milkweed and will actually eat the plant and its seeds. The milkweed bug has adapted to utilize the consumed toxins as a defense against predators. 
NPS/Shoemaker Scientific Name: Tetraopes tetraophthalmus The red milkweed beetle's scientific name is derived from the four eyes that are separated by their antenna. This distinct physical trait is an easy identifier for the species along with the red back with black oval-shaped spots. Just like the milkweed bugs these beetles are connected to milkweed, with the plant working as both a host and food source. How can you get involved?The pollinators found in the meadows in June and July are not the only pollinators that play a role in the ecosystem at the Thomas Stone National Historic Site. The flowering plants in the spring and fall months also attract pollinators and additional species. There are numerous types of bees and butterflies that contribute to the diverse flora and fauna at the site.Eagle Scout candidate Benjamin Shoemaker and the survey team he led essentially took a “snapshot” in time of the pollinators at the Thomas Stone National Historic Site. They contributed their findings to the iNaturalist website. They uploaded photos of their identified pollinators to the iNaturalist website, tagging the location as being at the Thomas Stone National Historic Site. This allows biologists to track and monitor the species and their observed frequency in the park. You can add to the collection of knowledge related to Thomas Stone National Historic Site’s ecosystem too! |
Last updated: March 26, 2025