Global InformationEulaema meriana information
| Eulaema meriana | |
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| Eulaema meriana female on a flower of the Brazil nut tree (Bertholletia excelsa) | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Apidae |
| Genus: | Eulaema |
| Species: | E. meriana
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| Binomial name | |
| Eulaema meriana (Olivier, 1789)
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| Synonyms | |
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Eulaema meriana is a large-bodied bee species in the tribe Euglossini, otherwise known as the orchid bees. The species is a solitary bee and is native to tropical Central and South America.[1] The male collects fragrances from orchid flowers, which it stores in hollows in its hind legs. Orchids can be deceptive by mimicking the form of a female and her sex pheromone, thus luring male bees or wasps.[2] Pollination will take place as the males attempt to mate with the labellum, or the tip petal of the flower.[3] Male E. meriana are territorial and have a particular perch on a tree trunk where it displays to attract a female.[4] After mating, the female builds a nest with urn-shaped cells made with mud, feces, and plant resin, and provisions these with nectar and pollen before laying an egg in each.[5] These bees also have complex foraging and wing buzzing behaviors and are part of a mimicry complex.[1][6]
- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
:4was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Schiestl, F. P.; Roubik, D. W. (2003-01-01). "Odor Compound Detection in Male Euglossine Bees". Journal of Chemical Ecology. 29 (1): 253–257. doi:10.1023/A:1021932131526. hdl:20.500.11850/57276. ISSN 0098-0331. PMID 12647866. S2CID 2845587.
- ^ Cameron, Sydney A. (7 January 2004). "Phylogeny and Biology of Neotropical Orchid Bees (Euglossini)". Annual Review of Entomology. 49 (1): 377–404. doi:10.1146/annurev.ento.49.072103.115855. PMID 14651469.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Stern - Territoriality - 19912was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cameron, Sydney A. (July 2001). "Nest Architecture and Nesting Ecology of the Orchid Bee Eulaema meriana (Hymenoptera: Apinae: Euglossini)". Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society. 74 (3): 142–165. Retrieved 22 September 2015.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
:2was invoked but never defined (see the help page).