Bee or butterfly, for example (10) Crossword Clue
Answer: POLLINATOR (10 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Bee or butterfly, for example" with 10 letters is "POLLINATOR".Pollinator refers to an organism, such as a bee or butterfly, that helps plants reproduce by transferring pollen from one flower to another. This process is essential for the fertilization of many plants, aiding in the production of seeds and fruits, and plays a crucial role in the ecosystem’s food chain and biodiversity.
Why "Pollinator" Fits
The clue asks for a single word (10 letters) meaning "bee or butterfly, for example." The answer, POLLINATOR, fits perfectly:
- Bee or butterfly, for example: Pollinator describes any organism—especially bees, butterflies, birds, bats, and some other insects or animals—that facilitates the transfer of pollen from one flower to another, enabling plant reproduction.
- Direct match: With ten letters, pollinator fits the enumeration exactly.
- Precise meaning: The word names the ecological role both bees and butterflies fulfill, making it the ideal answer for the clue.
Pollinator is a scientific and ecological term central to agriculture, botany, and environmental science:
Origin and usage:
- Derived from pollinate (to transfer pollen) + the -or suffix (one who carries out an action).
- The term is widely used in biology, horticulture, and conservation, highlighting an organism’s vital function in ecosystems.
Ecological role:
- Pollinators transfer pollen grains from the male structure of a flower (anther) to the female structure (stigma), allowing fertilization.
- Bees (especially honeybees and bumblebees), butterflies, moths, hummingbirds, bats, and even some small mammals can all be pollinators.
- Pollinators are considered keystone species due to their essential part in plant reproduction and food chains.
Importance:
- About 75% of flowering plants and 35% of global crop production depend on pollinators.
- Declines in pollinator populations threaten biodiversity and food security globally.
Examples:
- “Bees are the world’s most important pollinators for crops and wildflowers.”
- “Butterflies, while less efficient than bees, are still vital pollinators.”
- “Pollinator gardens attract bees and butterflies, supporting local ecosystems.”
In quick crosswords like “Bee or butterfly, for example (10),” clues often use the phrase “for example” to prompt a general category or function:
Definition: The clue prompts for a scientific/ecological role that encompasses both bees and butterflies.
Clue type: Definition by example (“bee or butterfly, for example”)—the answer names what both “are.”
Solving approach:
- Think of ten-letter words designating what bees and butterflies do (pollinator is a textbook fit).
- Butterflies and bees share the common ecological function of pollen transfer—hence, pollinator.
Crossword pattern: Scientific and environmental terms like pollinator, scavenger, predator, parasite are frequent in crosswords, especially when multiple animal types can fit the category.
