Diversity and distribution of orchid bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae, Euglossini) in Belize

Kevin M. O’Neill; Ruth P. O’Neill; Casey M. Delphia; Laura A. Burkle; Justin B. Runyon

doi:10.7717/peerj.14928

Treesearch

Diversity and distribution of orchid bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae, Euglossini) in Belize

Formally Refereed

Authors:

Kevin M. O’Neill, Ruth P. O’Neill, Casey M. Delphia, Laura A. Burkle, Justin B. Runyon

Year:

2023

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Rocky Mountain Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14928

Source:

PeerJ. 11: e14928.

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Download (PDF 1.80 MB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/65943.pdf

Abstract

Orchid bees are abundant and widespread in the Neotropics, where males are important pollinators of orchids they visit to collect fragrant chemicals later used to court females. Assemblages of orchid bees have been intensively surveyed in parts of Central America, but less so in Belize, where we studied them during the late-wet and early-dry seasons of 2015-2020.

Keywords

pollinators, Eufriesea, Euglossa, Eulaema, Exaerete, orchids, latitude, precipitation, elevation, Central America

Citation

O’Neill, Kevin M.; O’Neill, Ruth P.; Delphia, Casey M.; Burkle, Laura A.; Runyon, Justin B. 2023. Diversity and distribution of orchid bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae, Euglossini) in Belize. PeerJ. 11: e14928.