Cucurbit-pollinator
Guides
Eucera amsinckiae
Eucera amsinckiae is a species of long-horned bee in the family Apidae, first described by Timberlake in 1969. The species belongs to the genus Eucera, which comprises solitary bees commonly known as squash bees due to their specialized association with cucurbit plants. Males of Eucera species are characterized by exceptionally long antennae, a trait that gives the group its common name. Like other members of its genus, E. amsinckiae is likely an important pollinator of agricultural crops, particularly those in the Cucurbitaceae family.
Peponapis
Squash bees
Peponapis is a genus of ground-nesting bees in the family Apidae, commonly known as squash bees. These solitary bees are specialized pollinators of plants in the family Cucurbitaceae, including squash, pumpkins, gourds, and cucumbers. The genus underwent rapid geographical expansion following the domestication and spread of cucurbit crops by humans. Peponapis pruinosa, the most studied species, has been used as a model organism for understanding the impacts of agricultural practices on ground-nesting bees and for assessing pesticide risk in agricultural soils.
Peponapis crassidentata
Peponapis crassidentata is a species of solitary bee in the family Apidae, tribe Eucerini. It belongs to the genus Peponapis, commonly known as squash bees, which are specialist pollinators of plants in the family Cucurbitaceae. The species was described by Cockerell in 1951. Like other members of its genus, it is likely associated with cucurbit flowers, though specific ecological details for this species are limited in available sources.
Xenoglossa angustior
Red-tailed Squash Bee
Xenoglossa angustior, the Red-tailed Squash Bee, is a specialist pollinator of cucurbits (Cucurbitaceae) in the tribe Eucerini. It is native to North and Middle America and shares the common name "squash bee" with the related genus Peponapis. Both genera are oligoleges that pollinate exclusively squash, pumpkins, gourds, cucumbers, and zucchini.
Xenoglossa strenua
Nimble Squash Bee
Xenoglossa strenua is a species of long-horned bee in the family Apidae, native to North and Central America. It is an oligolectic pollinator specialized on the cucurbit family (Cucurbitaceae), including pumpkins, squash, gourds, cucumbers, and zucchini. The species is active early in the morning, visiting flowers as soon as they open, before most other bee species begin foraging.