#squash bee

[sitting-on-me-bum]

Squash Bee (Genera: Peponapis and Xenoglossa)

Squash bees, like Xenoglossa strenua, pollinate cucurbit plants.

USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab

[dougdimmadodo]

Bug of the Week #003 – Pruinose Squash Bee (Xenoglossa pruinosa)

Family: Honeybee Family (Apidae)

IUCN Conservation Status: Unassessed

Like other North American bees known as squash bees, the Pruinose Squash Bee is a highly specialised bee that feeds specifically on the pollen and nectar of squashes in the genus  Cucurbita, including Cucurbita pepo (the cultivated species of squash that gives us, among other important culinary gourds, pumpkins.) While their favourite flowers seem to be those of the wild Buffalo Gourd (Cucurbita foetidissima) members of this species will also readily feed from the flowers of cultivated Cucurbita species and as such play a major role in facilitating the growth of butternut squashes, courgettes/zucchinis, pumpkins and marrows, among many other widely-farmed gourds (although they seem generally uninterested in the flowers of gourds of other genera, such as Cucumis (muskmelons and cucumbers) and Citrullus (watermelons).) Widespread across North America and found in most regions where Cucurbita species are present, Pruinose Squash Bees are often seen gathering in large numbers around flowers when feeding but do not live in the cooperative colonies seen in other bee species; females construct simple burrows near the bases of squash plants in which they store food and lay eggs, while the short-lived males spend most of their lives perched in squash flowers attempting to court passing females.

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Image Source: Here

Bonus Fun Fact- "Pruinose" means "frosted", and refers to the white setae ("fur") on these little guys' underside!

[doingitfortheexposure]

Squash bees are solitary-living ground-nesting pollinators of gourds and squashes, native to the Americas.

Photos by Xer S. Rowan, Creative Commons Attribution license

I'm a disabled hobby photographer taking and sharing photos for the love of photography. These photos may be freely used, for personal and commercial purposes, as long as the license terms are followed. For more information about me, my free photo project, and the licensing I use, visit linktr.ee/DoingItForTheExposure.

[dinoserious]

day 27 squash bee. felt a little painty today for once

[thestudentfarmer]

Hello hello,

Got some pics and updates to share :)

The good first,

I've caught a few of the other pollinators out and about. While I'm not 100% sure what they all are yet it's still exciting to see them :)

The top is some kind of squash bee I think. The bottom possibly a small Carpenter bee?

A honeybee, one of a few buzzing round saying hello while I cleaned up the row this hollyhock is in.

The bad for a quick moment, unfortunatly a casualty caught after the act :(

I found and disposed of 3 today and encountered them flying for the first time 😱 that makes 7 so far. Sunflowers and carrot flowers seem to be the favorite hunting zones so far.

Back to good,m

The cucumbers are starting to pick up now. I can't wait to start enjoying fresh pickles and cucumber salads again :) also harvested 4 snacking tomatoes and 3 small slicer tomatoes.

The new bed, it will house sweet potatoes this season :) a similar sized and styled bed is 1/2 done near it, that one I will likely grow dandelions in once the grow mediums settled a bit.

Next up, I intend to work on an area to grow some amaranth for grain and some more greens. I may also be able to use one variety to dye wool!

Last pic~

Thanks for stopping bye :) see you soon!

🌻🌱Happy homesteading! 🌱🌻

5.28.24

[cnestus]

:p

[topios]

A squash bee with orange jelly mushroom traits.

[noir-poetography]

Squash Bee in Field Thistle

© 2022, James Blatter