Squash bee
Squash bee | |
---|---|
Peponapis pruinosa | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Hymenoptera |
Family: | Apidae |
Subfamily: | Apinae |
Tribe: | Eucerini |
Genera | |
The name squash bee, also squash and gourd bee, is applied to two related genera of
Species such as Peponapis pruinosa have been in decline due to several reasons, probably at least in part to pesticide sensitivity.[2]
Description
These bees are of moderate size, equal to various bumblebees. Compared to honeybees, squash bees are larger and bulkier, with longer antennae and rounder faces.[3] The pollen-carrying hairs on their legs (the scopa) are unbranched or nearly so, to accommodate the exceptionally large, coarse pollen of the host plants. These hairs may be sparse, however among Peponapis, the hind legs are fuzzy and brushlike.[4] Males lack these hairs, as they do not carry pollen.[3]
Squash bees have also evolved a
The two genera are sometimes thought to be
Life cycle
Squash bees build ground-based nests; they are solitary and do not live in colonies, but are sometimes gregarious.[4] Each pollen-gathering female digs her own nest, which consists of a vertical tunnel terminated by a loose grouping of individual nest cells.[3]
As pollinators
Studies have been carried out to compare Peponapis and honey bees regarding their effectiveness in pollinating cucurbits. The findings point to the squash bees being more effective and suggest the current practice of renting colonies of honey bees to perform this task may be unnecessary.[6][7]
Squash yield is fully dependent on insect pollinators. Plants pollinated by squash bees include summer squash, winter squash, zucchini, pumpkins, and many gourds excepting cucumbers.[3]
References
- ^ Colley, Micaela; Zystro, Jared. The Seed Garden. John Torgrimson, Seed Savers Exchange. p. 34.
- ^ Williams, Roger (2009). "Effects of imidacloprid-based Insecticides on the Native Cucurbit Pollinator, Peponapis pruinosa". US Interagency IPM Projects. Archived from the original on October 4, 2013. Retrieved September 15, 2013.
- ^ a b c d "Squash Bees | NC State Extension Publications". content.ces.ncsu.edu. Retrieved 2020-01-03.
- ^ a b "Squash Bees". www.fs.fed.us. Retrieved 2020-01-03.
- JSTOR 2406514.
- .
- JSTOR 25084168.