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]

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.

Honeybees are typically provided for commercial squash pollination, but native specialist bees of two genera - Peponapis and Xenoglossa, the so-called "squash bees" - are very common, often the dominant pollinators of many wild New WorldCucurbita …

Nov 10, 2024 · Squash bees, also known as squash and gourd bees, are native solitary bees of two genera, Peponapis and Xenoglossa. They are important pollinators for squash plants, with female squash bees foraging at the flowers of squashes, pumpkins, and gourds for pollen.

Feb 14, 2005 · The squash and gourd bees -- genera Peponapis Robertson and Xenoglossa Smith -- inhabiting America north of Mexico (Hymenoptera: Apoidea). Hilgardia 35:375-477.

This bee occurs in North America from the East Coast of the United States to the West Coast and into Mexico. It is an oligolege, specializing on a few host plants, the squashes and gourds of genus Cucurbita.

Nov 29, 2017 · Squash and Gourd bees are the hippy cousins of European honey bees, with large patches of fuzz on their legs that looks a little like bell bottoms. This fuzz is used to collect the large pollen grains from their favored plants.

ARS entomologists Jim Cane, Frank Eischen, and Blair Sampson are enthusiastic boosters of the so-called squash and gourd bees—about 20 wild, indigenous North, Central, and South American species in all. Cane says these unobtrusive, hardworking bees are early risers—already at work before sunrise, when squash blossoms are just beginning to open.

Mar 3, 2023 · These bees get their common name from their preference for plants in the squash family Cucurbitaceae, on which they forage for pollen and nectar. Squash bees are apex …

Apr 20, 2016 · Always wear a mask or bandanna over your mouth and nose when sanding gourds or cleaning out dried pulp and seeds. The dust and dried particles can irritate nasal passages and lungs.