Eufriesea surinamensis is a species of orchid bee in the family Apidae, subfamily Apinae, and tribe Euglossini. Members of the genus Eufriesea are among the largest neotropical bees and are noted for the males' collection of volatile fragrances, which are used in courtship displays.
Taxonomy
| Rank | Taxon |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Arthropoda |
| Class | Insecta |
| Order | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Apidae |
| Subfamily | Apinae |
| Tribe | Euglossini |
| Genus | Eufriesea |
| Species | Eufriesea surinamensis |
| Authority | (Insufficient Encyclopedic Information) |
Description
Eufriesea species are robust, often exceeding 2 cm in length. E. surinamensis exhibits the typical metallic coloration and dense body hairs characteristic of the genus, which aid in the adsorption of aromatic compounds. Detailed morphological measurements for this species are not comprehensively documented in readily accessible sources.
Distribution and Habitat
Recorded occurrences of E. surinamensis span parts of northern South America, including:
- Suriname (type locality)
- Brazil (Amazon basin)
- French Guiana
- Guyana
- Trinidad and Tobago
The species inhabits tropical rainforest ecosystems, where it frequents flowering plants that provide both nectar and the aromatic compounds sought by males.
Biology and Ecology
- Fragrance Collection: Male orchid bees, including E. surinamensis, visit a variety of fragrant sources—such as orchids, decaying wood, and tree sap—to gather volatile chemicals stored in specialized hind‑leg tibial pouches. These fragrances are later released during territorial or courtship displays.
- Pollination: While specific plant–pollinator interactions for E. surinamensis are not exhaustively recorded, Euglossine bees are generally important pollinators of many orchid species.
- Nesting: Like other Euglossini, females construct solitary nests in soft woody substrates or pre‑existing cavities, provisioning brood cells with pollen and nectar.
Conservation Status
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has not evaluated Eufriesea surinamensis as a separate species; therefore, its formal conservation status is Data Deficient. Habitat loss due to deforestation in the Amazon basin may pose a threat, but specific population trends are not documented.
References
- Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). “Eufriesea surinamensis.”
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). Occurrence records for Eufriesea surinamensis.
- Nemésio, A. (2006). “Orchid bee (Euglossini) diversity and fragrance collection in Central Amazonia.” Neotropical Entomology.
- Michener, C. D. (2007). The Bees of the World (2nd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press.
Note: Certain details such as the original taxonomic authority and exhaustive morphological measurements are not available in the primary public databases consulted; therefore, those elements are indicated as insufficiently documented.