Las abejas <i>Peponapis</i> y <i>Xenoglossa</i> en Costa Rica y su importancia en la polinización de las <i>Cucurbita</i> domésticas

Abstract

The squash and gourd bees, endemic to the Americas, are represented by 20 species, five of which are found in Costa Rica: four in the genus Peponapis and one in Xenoglossa. Since these two genera show a very close relationship, a series of common biological and morphological characters are given. According to the studies of Hurd and Linsley the majority of species (16) are found in Mexico, where the maximum development of Cucurbita occurs. This fact suggests that both plants and bees had their origin in Mexico, from where they migrated South and North. Keys are presented for identification of both sexes of the Costa Rican species. Additional information includes synonymical bibliographies and references. The squash and gourd bees virtually derive their entire economy from Cucurbita. Adaptive evolution between these bees and the flowers of Cucurbita is also shown, making the closely related genera Peponapis and Xenoglossa the best pollinators for the domestic or cultivated Cucurbita. Peponapis limitaris seems to be the best pollinator in Costa Rica, due to its wide distribution and abundance in this country, while Peponapis apiculata appears the better pollinator of Cucurbita ficifolia (chiverre) , which is cultivated at altitudes above 1000 meters.