Best Orchid Bee

Aglae caerulea is a species of orchid bee found in the Amazon basin across Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia. It is distinctive for its metallic blue coloration, which is created by microscopic structures in the exoskeleton rather than pigments. This bee is the only species in the genus Aglae and...

The Euglossa dilemma is a species of orchid bee, specifically *Euglossa* spp., native to Florida. These bees are notable for their role in pollinating orchids and, more recently, due to their expansion as an invasive pollinator within the United States. They are particularly relevant to researchers...

*Eulaema bombiformis* is a large, solitary bee species belonging to the tribe Euglossini, commonly known as orchid bees. Native to the Neotropical regions of Central and South America, it is morphologically distinct due to its robust size and dense, bumblebee-like pubescence. Males of the species ex...

Eulaema meriana is a species of bee found in neotropical regions. It’s notable for its specialized behavior: gathering scents from orchids and other flowers. This collection serves as a crucial signal to attract mates. The bee plays an important role in orchid pollination and is primarily studied by...

Exaerete smaragdina is a neotropical bee species belonging to the family Exaeretidae. It’s notable for its unique cuckoo-like reproductive strategy where females develop within orchid flowers, relying on host bees to provide pollen and care for their young. This bee is particularly interesting to en...

Eufriesea superba is a large, solitary bee species belonging to the family Apidae, native to the Neotropical forests of Central and South America. As a member of the tribe Euglossini, commonly known as orchid bees, the males are distinguished by their specialized behavior of collecting volatile chem...

Euglossa viridissima is a metallic green orchid bee in the family Apidae, formally described in 1899. It is native to Mexico and Central America and has also become established in southern Florida, representing a documented northward extension beyond its native range. Like other orchid bees, males c...

Eulaema nigrita is a large species of euglossine bee, commonly known as an orchid bee, belonging to the family Apidae. Described scientifically in 1841, the species is native to the Neotropical regions of South America. The females are robust pollinators that forage on a variety of tropical flora, w...

Eufriesea purpurata is a species of Neotropical orchid bee found in South America. It is uniquely remarkable among insects for its documented resistance to the pesticide DDT. Studies conducted in Brazil observed this bee actively collecting and storing significant quantities of the toxic chemical in...

Described in 1922, Euglossa imperialis is a large, brightly colored orchid bee native to the Neotropical regions of Central and South America. Like other members of the Euglossini tribe, the males of this species are known for collecting fragrant chemical compounds from specific orchids, which they...

Eulaema cingulata is a large Neotropical orchid bee known for its fuzzy, bumblebee-like appearance and its crucial role in pollinating deep-throated tropical flora. Like other bees in the Euglossini tribe, males of this species collect volatile fragrances from orchids and other sources, which they s...

Eufriesea surinamensis is a species of orchid bee (Euglossini) native to tropical regions of South America. First described by Linnaeus in 1758, these large bees are known for their brilliant metallic coloration, which typically includes green, blue, and purple hues. Males of the species collect fra...

Euglossa hemichlora is a species of orchid bee belonging to the family Apidae, native to the Neotropical region. Like other members of the tribe Euglossini, it exhibits bright metallic green coloration. The males of this species possess specialized morphology to collect volatile chemical compounds,...

Eufriesea mexicana is a species of orchid bee (Euglossini) native to Mexico and parts of Central America. Like other orchid bees, it exhibits a relationship with orchids, collecting fragrances that males use in courtship displays. The species displays the characteristic metallic coloration common to...

Exaerete frontalis is a large orchid bee in the family Apidae, native to the tropical Americas. It is a cleptoparasitic species: females do not provision their own brood cells but enter nests of certain other orchid bees and lay eggs there, leaving the developing offspring to use provisions gathered...