Squash Bee vs Oregon Oak Gall Wasp
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Squash Bee | Oregon Oak Gall Wasp |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Peponapis pruinosa | Besbicus mirabilis |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Apidae | Cynipidae |
| Size | 12-14 mm | 2–3 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Grasslands |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Gall Makers |
| Regions | North America, Central America | Western North America |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Not Evaluated |
Squash Bee
A solitary ground-nesting bee that specializes exclusively in pollinating squash, pumpkin, and gourd flowers. It begins foraging before dawn when cucurbit flowers first open.
Did You Know?
Males often sleep inside closed squash blossoms at night, occasionally getting trapped when the flower wilts.
Oregon Oak Gall Wasp
A gall wasp that induces conspicuous galls on Oregon white oak in western North America. Galls form on leaf veins and can be quite abundant.
Did You Know?
Native Americans used some oak galls medicinally as an astringent to treat mouth sores and skin wounds.