Euglossine bees

Euglossine bees, also known as orchid bees, are a group of predominantly tropical bees renowned for their role in pollination. Unlike typical bees, males collect fragrant compounds—often from orchids and other plants—to attract females, engaging in elaborate scent-collecting behaviors. These scents are then stored in specialized structures on their bodies. Euglossines are important pollinators for many plant species, especially orchids, contributing to the health and diversity of tropical ecosystems. They are solitary or loosely social, and their vibrant colors and unique behaviors make them fascinating subjects of study in ecology and evolution.