The Mexican Squash and Gourd Bees of the Genus Peponapis (Hymenoptera: Apoidea)

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Abstract
The bees of the genus Peponapis Robertson are represented in Mexico by 10 species, 2 of which are here described as new. This assemblage coincides with the maximum development of the genus Cucurbita, from which the bees derive virtually their entire economy. The Peponapis differ in their abilities to collect and use the pollens of the various species of Cucurbita, both indigenous and domestic, and this fact suggests various tentative conclusions relative to the impact upon their distributions and economy resulting from the spread of domestic Cucurbita by aboriginal man. A key is presented for identification of both sexes of the 10 species, and new records of the occurrence and plant relationships of these bees are reported. Characters useful for identification of species are illustrated, and synonymical bibliographies and pertinent references recorded. New taxa are Peponapisazteca and P.smithi;P.apiculata (Cresson) (=Tetralonia barbiceps Friese, =T. pyropyga Friese, =T. p. obscurata Friese, new synonyms) is transferred to this genus from Tetralonia; and other new synonymy includes P. atrata (Smith) (=Melissodes pernigra Cockerell) and P. limitaris (Cockerell) (=Tetralonia tenuimarginata Friese). Lectotypes are selected and designated for the nominal forms proposed by Friese as listed above.

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