Xenoglossa angustior
Cockerell, 1899
Red-tailed Squash Bee
Xenoglossa angustior, the Red-tailed Squash Bee, is a of cucurbits (Cucurbitaceae) in the tribe Eucerini. It is native to North and Middle America and shares the "squash bee" with the related Peponapis. Both genera are oligoleges that pollinate exclusively squash, pumpkins, gourds, cucumbers, and zucchini.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Xenoglossa angustior: /zɛnɔˈɡlɔsə æŋˈɡʌstiɔr/
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Identification
Distinguished from the related Peponapis by subtle morphological differences; males have a yellow spot on the . Both genera appear similar with golden brown bodies and fuzzy yellow . The specific epithet "angustior" suggests a narrower form compared to .
Distribution
Middle America and North America.
Diet
Strictly oligolectic on Cucurbitaceae, collecting pollen exclusively from squash, pumpkins, gourds, cucumbers, and zucchini.
Life Cycle
Females are ground nesters. Males sleep in cucurbit blossoms at night, awaiting females.
Behavior
Early morning activity, beginning pollination as soon as blossoms open. Other , including honey bees, do not visit cucurbit flowers as early.
Ecological Role
of cucurbits; historically important for and domestication of squash throughout the Americas prior to European contact.
Human Relevance
Important for commercial and subsistence cucurbit production; pumpkin and squash crops depend on early morning pollination services.
Similar Taxa
- Peponapis pruinosaShares 'squash bee' and identical as cucurbit ; distinguished by -level morphological differences and geographic range.
- Xenoglossa strenua with similar cucurbit specialization; X. angustior distinguished by narrower body form per specific epithet.