Eucera pagosana

(Cockerell, 1925)

Eucera pagosana is a of long-horned bee in the Apidae, described by Cockerell in 1925. It belongs to the Eucera, a group of solitary bees commonly known as squash bees due to their specialization on cucurbit flowers. The species name 'pagosana' suggests an association with mountainous or rocky (from Greek 'pagos,' meaning rocky hill or mountain). Like other Eucera species, it is likely an important in its native range. Specific details about its remain poorly documented in published literature.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Eucera pagosana: /juˈsɛra ˌpaɡoˈsana/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Distribution

North America. Distribution records from GBIF indicate presence in North America, though specific range details within this region are not well documented.

Ecological Role

As a member of the Eucera, this likely functions as a , though specific plant associations have not been documented. The tribe Eucerini, to which it belongs, consists primarily of solitary bees that are important pollinators of wildflowers and some agricultural crops.

Similar Taxa

Eucera pruinosaFormerly placed in Peponapis; a well-known squash bee with documented specialization on cucurbits. E. pagosana may share similar and ecological habits, though E. pruinosa has been more extensively studied and has a documented eastern North American distribution.
Eucera longicornisA Palearctic with extremely long in males. While geographically distinct, it represents the typical Eucera body plan and could be confused if specimens are mislabeled or if comparing across similar long-horned bee .
Melissodes speciesAnother in the Eucerini with similar long-horned bee . Males of both genera have elongated , and females can be difficult to distinguish without close examination of specific morphological characters.

More Details

Taxonomic history

Described by Theodore Dru Alison Cockerell in 1925. Cockerell was a prolific entomologist who described numerous , particularly from western North America. The specific epithet 'pagosana' may refer to the type locality or characteristics.

Data availability

This has zero observations in iNaturalist as of the knowledge cutoff, suggesting it is either genuinely rare, undercollected, or potentially synonymized with another species. The lack of specimen images or detailed collection records in major databases indicates significant gaps in knowledge.

Related well-studied species

Eucera pruinosa (formerly Peponapis pruinosa) is among the best-studied Eucera and serves as a functional model for understanding the . It is an efficient of pumpkins, cucumbers, squash, and other cucurbits, often active before dawn when these flowers open.