Kansas Squash Bee
Xenoglossa kansensis
This record describes Xenoglossa kansensis (species). Recorded family: Apidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Trigonaloidea
- Family
- Apidae (Cuckoo, Carpenter, Digger, Bumble, and Honey Bees)
- Subfamily
- Apinae
- Tribe
- Eucerini
- Genus
- Xenoglossa (Large Squash Bees)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Kansas to North Carolina and Georgia Discover Life Map
Seasonal Activity
May to July
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Recorded on Cucurbita and Ipomoea
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Author: Cockerell, 1905
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Xenoglossa kansensis. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hymenoptera includes over 150,000 described species of ants, bees, wasps, and sawflies. Earth harbors approximately 20 quadrillion (20×10^15) ants, with a combined biomass of ~12 megatons of dry carbon - exceeding the combined biomass of all wild birds and mammals (PNAS, 2022).
Ecological role of the group
About 35% of the world's food crops depend on animal pollinators. The chocolate industry, valued at over $100 billion, depends on pollinating flies and midges. Ants are the dominant soil engineers in most terrestrial ecosystems, turning more soil than earthworms in many habitats.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Pollinators contribute $235-577 billion worth of annual global food production (FAO). In the U.S., bee pollination alone benefits crops valued at $18 billion annually, and honey bees are responsible for $5.4 billion in agricultural productivity. Between April 2023-2024, 55.1% of managed honey bee colonies were lost. The U.S. bee population dropped from 5 million to 2.5 million.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO, USDA, EPA, PNAS (2022), US Fish & Wildlife Service. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kansas Squash Bee
Where is Kansas Squash Bee found?
Range: Kansas to North Carolina and Georgia Discover Life Map
What does Kansas Squash Bee eat?
The diet of the Kansas Squash Bee includes Recorded on Cucurbita and Ipomoea.
When is Kansas Squash Bee active?
Kansas Squash Bee: seasonal activity - May to July.