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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Logan, Utah » Pollinating Insect-Biology, Management, Systematics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #285277

Title: Two new species of the bee genus Peponapis, with a key to the North and Central American species (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Eucerini)

Author
item AYALA, RICARDO - Autonomous Agricultural University Antonio Narro
item Griswold, Terry

Submitted to: Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/20/2012
Publication Date: 6/27/2012
Citation: Ayala, R., Griswold, T.L. 2012. Two new species of the bee genus Peponapis, with a key to the North and Central American species (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Eucerini). Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad. 83(2): 396-406.

Interpretive Summary: Squash bees of the genus Peponapis are important pollinators of squashes in agricultural production and natural environments throughout the Americas. Thirteen species have been recognized in this genus, most of them in tropical and subtropical regions of North America. Here we describe two more species, one each from the Pacific slopes of Mexico and Costa Rica. A key is provided for distinguishing species of these important pollinators.

Technical Abstract: Two new species of squash bees, Peponapis pacifica Ayala and Griswold sp. n. and P. parkeria Griswold and Ayala sp. n., are described and illustrated. Peponapis pacifica is oligolectic on flowers of Schizocarpum longisepalum (Cucurbitaceae) endemic to Mexico, where it is found in the tropical dry forest along the Pacific Coast, between Sonora and Chiapas and in the Balsas River basin; and P. parkeri is known only from the Pacific slope of Costa Rica. A key for the north and Central American species of Peponapis is provided.