The name squash bee, also squash and gourd bee, is applied to two related genera of bees in the tribe Eucerini; Peponapis and Xenoglossa. Both genera are oligoleges (pollen specialists) on the plant genus Cucurbita and closely related plants, although they usually do not visit watermelon, cucumber, and melon plants. [ 1 ]

Squash bees are medium-sized bees that serve an important role in pollinating cucurbit crops. They do so using their thick hairs that serve as one of their identifying features. But do they make honey? What’s their use to the ecosystem, and why are they named squash bees? Let’s find out.

Sep 21, 2021 · More gardeners need good squash bee information because these honeybee look-alikes are critically important for vegetable gardening. Learn how to identify squash bees, why you want them in your yard, and how to attract and keep them there.

Got squash? If so, you have the chance to see the most important floral specialists in agriculture, native solitary bees of two genera, Peponapis and Xenoglossa, the so-called "squash bees". Look at your squash’s flowers during the first few hours after sunrise. Male squash bees will be darting between flowers, searching for mates.

Jan 8, 2024 · What Are Squash Bees? The term ‘squash bee’ is a nickname for bees belonging to the Peponapis pruinosa or Xenoglossa genus. And as their name suggests? Squash bees are excellent pollinators of butternut squash, pumpkins, and zucchini.

Dec 23, 2024 · Squash bees (Eucera (Peponapis) pruinosa) occur throughout much of the United States and Mexico, where they are important pollinators of plants in the genus Cucurbita. This includes summer squash, winter squash, zucchini, pumpkins, and …

Peponapis pruinosa is a species of solitary bee in the tribe Eucerini, the long-horned bees. Its common name is the eastern cucurbit bee. It may be called the squash bee, but this name can also apply to other species in its genus, as well as the other squash bee genus, Xenoglossa. [1]

Jun 6, 2022 · Squash bees are unique in that they will only visit flowers within the cucurbit family (i.e. squashes, pumpkins, melons, cucumbers and zucchini). These highly specialized pollinators can typically be observed foraging during early morning hours and are able to collect pollen using the long comb-like hairs on their hind legs (Figure 1).

As their name suggests, squash bees rely entirely on blossoms from the Cucurbita plants for all of the pollen they feed their offspring. This specialization has led to the evolution of multiple morphological, behavioral and ecological adaptations for Cucurbita pollination.

Jun 5, 2018 · Bees in the genera Peponapis and Xenoglossa are commonly called squash bees because of their unique relationship with squash, pumpkins, and related plants. These bees are cucurbit specialists. Pollen from cucurbits like squash, pumpkins, and gourds is the only food that squash bee larva eat.