Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Macrocera pruinosa Say, 1837; Xenoglossa pruinosa (Say, 1837); Xenoglossa angelica Cockerell, 1902; Xenoglossa (Peponapis) howardi Cockerell, 1918; Xenoglossa pruinosa var lutzi Cockerell, 1923
Explanation of Names
Species name refers to its pruinose (frosty) white abdominal hair bands
Size
Female 12.5-14 mm; male 11-13 mm.
Identification
Clypeus protuberant and with a small apical yellow spot in males. Females with widely spaced scopal hairs not hiding integument of tibia. Complete bands of frosty hairs on the abdomen. Male antennae relatively short. Smaller than Xenoglossa, with whiter abdominal hairs, and less yellow on the clypeus.
In California and elsewhere in the southwest a pale form has an orange rather than dark abdominal integument.
Range
California, Utah and Arizona, eastward to the New England states and Georgia. Has likely expanded its range due to planting of squash by people including Native Americans.
Discover Life Map.
Habitat
Vicinity of Cucurbitaceae plants. Males sleep within closed squash flowers.
Food
Pollen and nectar from members of Cucurbitaceae (squash, pumpkins, etc.). The Hosts section on its
Discover Life species page lists known associations based on specimen records and images.
Life Cycle
It usually nests near or under Cucurbitaceae plants. Solitary, one generation per year.
Remarks
Can be overlooked because females fly early in the morning. If present in a squash patch males should be found sleeping within closed squash blooms and will buzz when these are pinched.