Orchid Bees

Euglossini

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Apidae
Subfamily: Apinae
Tribe: Euglossini

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Euglossini: //juːˈɡlɒsɪˌnaɪ//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Dilemma Orchid Bee - Euglossa dilemma, Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Key Largo, Florida - 01 by Judy Gallagher. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Euglossa dilemma 243530252 by Guy Babineau. Used under a CC0 license.

Green Orchid Bee (Euglossa dilemma) (7406599274) by Bob Peterson from North Palm Beach, Florida, Planet Earth!. Used under a CC BY-SA 2.0 license.

Green Orchid Bee (Euglossa dilemma) (7870772768) by Bob Peterson from North Palm Beach, Florida, Planet Earth!. Used under a CC BY-SA 2.0 license.

Dilemma Orchid Bee - Euglossa dilemma, Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Key Largo, Florida by Judy Gallagher. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Dilemma Orchid Bee - Euglossa dilemma, Arthur Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Boynton Beach, Florida (38090959715) by Judy Gallagher. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Summary

Euglossini, or orchid bees, are a tribe of corbiculate bees characterized by their metallic coloration and unique behavior regarding fragrance collection. They include solitary and some communal species, with males collecting volatiles from orchids to attract potential mates. Their ecological role as pollinators is crucial to certain orchid species, and they exhibit distinctive methods for accumulating and using these fragrances.

Physical Characteristics

Brightly metallic colored; long tongue; apical spurs on metatibia; hind wings without jugal lobes; scutellum produced backward.

Identification Tips

Look for brilliant metallic coloration, primarily green, gold, and blue; presence of modified legs in males for fragrance collection.

Habitat

Primarily found in South and Central America; also established in Florida, USA; species reported from Arizona and Texas.

Distribution

About 200 described species in five genera, with Euglossa dilemma established in Florida; others reported from southern US regions including Arizona and Texas.

Diet

Females gather pollen and nectar from a variety of plants; males primarily collect volatile compounds from orchids and other plant families.

Reproduction

Males do not return to nests after hatching; mating takes place in display sites within the forest understory.

Ecosystem Role

Pollinators of orchids; play a significant role in the reproductive success of specific orchid species.

Collecting Methods

Using synthetic compounds as bait
Collecting males for study

Evolution

The relationship between male euglossine bees and volatile chemicals is unique among animals; demonstrates an example of Zahavi's handicap principle.

Similar Taxa

Other corbiculate bees
Various types of bees, wasps, flies, and moths that also pollinate orchids

Misconceptions

Male orchid bees were early thought to be females in relation to Darwin's early findings on their role in orchid pollination.