Insect pollinators provide numerous ecosystem services that support other living organisms. While pollinators play a large role in cropping systems, little is known about their presence and function in rangeland ecosystems, which have recently become fragmented and overexploited at an extraordinary rate. We assessed local Maasai knowledge on insect pollinators and how pollinators affect livelihood diversification in Simanjiro rangelands, Tanzania. Through questionnaires, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and field observations, we found varied insect knowledge among Maasai herders. Lasioglossum of sub genus Ipomalictus and Syriphidae were the least commonly recognized pollinators as only 24%, and 7% of participants could identify them, respectively. Responses varied significantly between men and women (F = 7.397, p = .007). Commiphora africana, Acacia mellifera and Albizia anthelmintica were noted as most important bee forage plants while observations showed Aspilia mossambicensis, Justicia debile and Acacia tortilis. Most (77%) of Maasai herders showed limited ability to link pollinators and rangeland wellbeing. Beekeeping contributed to livelihood diversification for 61% of respondents, with women participating more frequently than men (χ² = 46.962, p = .0001). Beekeeping was positively influenced by education level (R = .421, p < .0001) and occupation (R = .194, p = .009). Pollinator declines were attributed to climate change (47%), agriculture (37%), and habitat destruction (8%). We conclude that Maasai have limited knowledge of common pollinator groups and their roles. Community outreach and training should bridge the knowledge gap in pastoralist communities to fully realize pollinator benefits and highlight the importance of rangeland health.

昆虫传粉者提供支持其他生物体的众多生态系统服务。虽然传粉媒介在种植系统中发挥着重要作用，但人们对其在牧场生态系统中的存在和功能知之甚少，这些生态系统最近变得支离破碎和以惊人的速度过度开发。我们评估了当地马赛人对昆虫传粉媒介的了解，以及传粉媒介如何影响坦桑尼亚 Simanjiro 牧场的生计多样化。通过问卷调查、关键知情人访谈、焦点小组讨论和实地观察，我们发现马赛牧民的昆虫知识各不相同。Lasioglossum分属Ipomalictus和Syriphidae是最不常见的传粉媒介，只有 24%，而 7% 的参与者可以分别识别它们。男性和女性的反应差异很大（F = 7.397，p  = .007）。Commiphora Africana、Acacia mellifera和Albizia anthelmintica被认为是最重要的蜜蜂饲料植物，而观察结果显示Aspilia mossambicensis、Justicia debile和Acacia tortilis。大多数（77%）马赛牧民表现出将传粉媒介与牧场福祉联系起来的能力有限。养蜂促成生计多样化的受访者61％，女性参与的频率比男性（χ ² = 46.962，p  = .0001）。养蜂业受到教育水平 ( R  = .421, p  < .0001) 和职业 ( R  = .194, p  = .009 ) 的积极影响。授粉媒介的减少归因于气候变化 (47%)、农业 (37%) 和栖息地破坏 (8%)。我们得出的结论是，马赛人对常见传粉者群体及其作用的了解有限。社区外展和培训应弥合牧民社区的知识差距，以充分实现传粉媒介的利益并强调牧场健康的重要性。