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Melissodes bimaculata
Long-horned Bees include 3 subspecies that are regarded as specialized pollinators, because they only visit certain plant species. Squash bees (Peponapis and Xenoglossa) are important pollinators of squash, pumpkins & gourds. Sunflower bees (Svastra) pollinate sunflower crops. Melissodes pollinate sunflowers, watermelons & cotton. Cotton is self pollinating but with cross-pollination from these bees, the plants yield a higher seed count.
Spotted on Moss Rose (Portulaca grandiflora)
Female
Spotted on Aug 4, 2011
Submitted on Nov 9, 2011
2 Comments
Thanks Alice!
Excellent picture and very good information!